From the feedback - Soling or Not

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From Terry
A hot season for the 12s? It's always a hot season in the twelves!! But this year it will be interesting to see who takes the championships - Tom Stewart will be beaten at some point, but by who? Robin Wood? Stuart Hudson, should he return for another season? Jon Ibbottson has always been up there, and it's about time he took the honours. The other people to watch are the two main youth sailors, with Mike Cooke and Richard Williams both inside the top 16 last year, and looking to better themselves even further..

From David Lapes
Should the Soling be reinstated? I think that the Olympic classes should be a test of athletic, as well as sailing ability. Thus classes such as the 49er, RS300 should be given more emphasis over outdated boats such as the Laser, Soling and Finn. I still believe in having a symmetrical kite like the 470, and I think the Europe is fantastic although the rules have been screwed up. Why is it necessary to have a keelboat at all? Sentimentalism I suppose.

From JJD Canada and the USA
Should the Soling be reinstated? G'day - yes and no! There should be three keelboats in the Olympics. Two Person Crew where physical athletic prowess, strength, mobility and ability are significant components. The Star is as good as any, better than most. Three or more Person Crew, should minimize, even eliminate, physical strength and mobility, and concentrate on sailing: skills, tactics, strategy,etc.. This would mean all people in the boat and little or no hiking out. These boats would be suitable for men and/or women, able-bodied and/or disabled, and a wide variety of "body types", a problem that continually comes up at the Olympics.

From Simon Smith
Time for the Soling to bow out gracefully? If ISAF can get the IOC to raise the total number of athletes participating in the yachting events by a significant amount then yes, maybe there is a place for the Soling at the Olympics, but if the IOC won't change or intends to bring the overall number down then it is not only selfish but stupid to have another three person boat in the games.