July 7th, 2010 10:00 pm
The only windsurf board eligible to take part in the Olympic Sailing Regatta in 2012
The RS:Xcame about as a result of a successful bid by NeilPryde WIndsurfingto supply one design windsurfing equipmentfor the 2008 Olympic SailingGamesin China. The RS:Xwas designedin 2004and wentinto production in 2005.
The RS:Xdesign features a high technologyrig, withcarbon mast and boom, a ‘wide-style’ boardthatmerges modernwindsurf boarddesign witha centreboard,thusenabling competitionsto he held in virtually any condition from 3 to 30 knots.This meansthatthe RS:Xis always a dynamic,versatile classto observe, and racingis always close,exciting and visuallyappealing.
Two sizes of sailare available for competitors.Men use a 9.5m sailwhile womenand youthuse an 8.5m sail. The sail, rig and boardhavebeendesignedin conjunction witheach other in order to to ensure a high level of design synergy.
The RS:XClassAssociation was established in November2006, and is critical to the establishment and ongoingdevelopmentof the RS:Xas an international Olympic SailingClassClass.
The RS:Xis the most affordable sailing;classthatis eligible for competitionin the Olympic SailingRegatta. It is alsoveryeasyto transport, as it can be carriedon commercial aircraft as excess baggage, thusallowing sailors;to competeinternationallyat minimal expense. This allowsthe scheduling of many regattas which can be attended by a large number of sailors;from all overthe world.
The inaugural RS:XWorldChampionshipswereheld at LakeGarda,Italy, and featured some 244 competitors.Subsequent WorldChampionship Regattasin 2007 Cascais, Portugaland in 2008 Auckland, New Zealandattracted186 and 193 sailors;respectively.
More than3000 sets of equipmenthavebeensold since production started in 2005to competitors in more than50 nations in 6 continents.
The RS:XClassis actively involved in developing racingfleets in the U21, U19 and U17 Age Divisionswho competein separateWorldand ContinentalChampionships. It shouldbe noted thatonly the U19 Division is awarded WorldChampionship titles for YouthMen and YouthWomenrecognised by ISAF due to the strict limitationsthattheyimpose on their number.
TheRS:XClasshas recentlylaunchedthe RS:XReach-4-The-Top TrainingProgrammes to assistNationalSailingFederations,Athletes, Coaches and NationalTechnical officials gain more knowledge and experience. The classis actively organising clinics and training campsworldwide.
Tags: 2012, Board, eligible, Olympic, only, part, Regatta, Sailing, take, Windsurf