Battle to save windsurfing (From Dorset Echo)

Battle to save windsurfing

11:10am Thursday 24th May 2012 in Weymouth and Portland Sailing Olympics and Paralympics 2012 News

THE fight is on to save windsurfing as an Olympic sport.

After the shock announcement from the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) that it would be replacing the RS:X men’s and women’s windsurfing with kitesurfing at the 2016 Olympic games in Rio, a campaign has been started to fight back.

A petition has been launched online at change.org/petitions/isaf-keep-windsurfing-as-olympic-discipline There is still a chance to save the sport as the ISAF will make a final decision in November.

Olympic windsurfer Nick Dempsey, pictured left in action, spoke of his shock at the decision and said: “They have no idea what they are doing.”

He added: “Windsurfing is massive around the world. It’s huge in France and in European countries – this is really bizarre.”

Dempsey said he would be supporting the campaign but that his primary focus was on the Olympics.

He said: “I back it but I’m not getting involved too much. It’s for other people to take up the fight. I will carry on doing what I can to promote the sport.”