The RS800 class attracting more women?

The RS800 class attracting more women?

This coming May, at their mid year meeting,  ISAF are highly likely to confirm the inclusion of a women’s double-handed High Performance Skiff discipline in the 2016 line up of events.

However the selection of the actual equipment to be used will not be made until November 2012. This leaves an 18 month period during which aspiring sailors and MNA’s, like the RYA, are unable to start training programmes. The RYA, however, would like to get ahead and develop a pool of women sailors in a GBR domestic class to get ahead of other nations prior to the equipment selection.

The RYA have indicated that the RS800 would be highly suitable, so long as any interested all women teams were allowed to sheet off the boom, thus making the training more relevant, during this 18 month period. If this is acceptable, then the RS800 is a strong option.

The boats that have been suggested are RS800, 29er XX, and Rebel. The RS800 has the advantage of being an established class, and this initiative in return could really benefit our class in the next couple of years.

How might the RS800 class engage and benefit from this initiative?

1. This would probably only need a sailing instruction change at specific events, rather than a rule change.
2. The Class should enjoy better turnouts during this period while all women teams form and get started - certainly of varied age groups and racing experiences.
3. The Class should retain some of the sailors at the end of the period when the top handful would move onto sailing the new Olympic class when chosen.
4. The Class should enjoy increased media interest and exposure during the period.
5. The Class gets to see off boom sheeting being used close at hand without needing to organise our own trial.

What might the RYA provide for the all women teams sailing the RS800?

1. Validation of the choice of training class.
2. Exposure for the class. Media coverage of some events.
3. Some “Open” training for all women teams.
4. A full programme of coaching, fitness, and race improvement for selected sailors who prove themselves.

Prospective Timescale:

The RYA have a programme ready to be rolled out from May 2011. If the RS800 is a favoured choice, then the first regatta for any women teams may well be the Nationals in August.

Your committee have discussed this with RS Sailing, and believe this is a good thing, and have indicated to the RYA that this will be acceptable.

Your committee and RS Sailing would also like to categorically state that the RS800 will not be put forward for the any related ISAF Equipment trials. RS Sailing are now working on a new boat specifically for the trials, based on the 800 hull shape, but different in all other respects. It is not envisaged that it would have a place in the market if not selected as an Olympic Class.

Andy Jeffries

RS800 Class Chairman.

31 March 2011