Yachting New Zealand says it is disappointed with the decision to replace windsurfing with kiteboarding at the 2016 Olympics - but it's not all bad news.
The International Sailing Federation yesterday announced the switch for the Rio de Janeiro Games, eliminating an event New Zealand have previously prospered in.
While the likes of Barbara Kendall, who has collected a full set of Olympic medals during her windsurfing career, would be kept from the world stage had the switch been effected during her career, New Zealand technology is set for a greater representation in Rio.
That's because the New Zealand-designed MacKay FX, also known as the 49er, was confirmed as the new Olympic women's skiff discipline in welcome news to the sailing industry in this country.
Yachting New Zealand (YNZ) had previously campaigned for both windsurfing and kiteboarding to be included in the Olympics, and chief executive Dave Abercrombie said the decision to remove the former was a major blow.
"We have recently invested significant resources into rebuilding windsurfing within our development programmes'' he said. "This is a major setback but if it's a fait accompli, we will have to adapt and get up to speed as soon as we can.''
Until more information is made available, including equipment and race format for the kiteboard, YNZ was somewhat hamstrung in any decision making.
"In the meantime, we will be putting our high performance team together and will identify existing talent on the kiteboard, develop a pathway for youth to enter the sport, and investigate a racing structure,'' Abercrombie said.
Abercrombie at least saw the silver lining in the news New Zealand's MacKay Boats, who currently build the men's 49er and other Olympic classes, have had their equipment selected for the 2016 women's two-person skiff event.
"It is an accolade of boat design and delivery for this to be going to the world market, and our women can be supported quickly into race mode,'' he said.
