A modified form of the most common scoring in the sport, the Low-Point Scoring System awards points based on the order of finish: 1 point for first place, 2 points for second place, 3 points for third, etc. A boat receives points for each which are then added together to determine an overall score. The competitor with the lowest point total wins the competition. A Disqualification (DQ), Did Not Finish (DNF), Did Not Start (DNS), Premature Starter (PMS), Did Not Compete (DNC) or Retirement (RET) receives a score equal to the number of competitors entered in the regatta plus 1 point. In events with four to eight races, competitors may discard or "throwout" their worst score and discard two of their lowest scores in events with nine or more races. Scores are not final until the "protest period" after each day's racing has ended and all protests are decided.
IMCO One-Design Board (men and women)
Windsurfers are the fastest monohull sailing crafts in the world today. Because of the craft's small size, low cost popularity and thrill of "flying over the waves," windsurfers also are among the most popular crafts on the water. The sensation of speed is further enhanced by the sailor's close proximity to the water. In 1984, the Lechner II-brand windsurfer was first entered in Olympic competition. In both the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games, the Lechner II was used again, and the U.S. excelled by taking bronze and silver medals, respectively, in windsurfing. (A first-time women's division in 1992 yielded no medals for the U.S.) For 1996, the IMCO One-Design will replace the Lechner for men's and women's divisions. Windsurfers are great athletes, navigators and sailors. Physically, the best windsurfing sailors are tall, lean and agile. Standing while sailing, the athletes utilize tremendous upper body strength to support and control their rigs. The term "one-design" refers to a craft's strict standards for materials and methods used in construction, ensuring each boat is identical to another in its class.
Finn single-handed dinghy (men)
A high-performance, refined sailboat, the Finn ranks as one of the world's great boats. In Olympic competition, the boats are supplied by the host country, and the competitor brings the spars and sails. A single-seat, one-person centerboard dinghy, Finns require tremendous physical exertion and mental concentration to operate. This combination of an excellent craft with a sophisticated competitor makes the Finn unique. Finn sailors are strong, fit and tolerant of long periods of concentration and physical exertion. Averaging more than 6' in height, they weigh in at 175+ pounds. Yet, even at this size, they often carry extra weight in water jackets for racing in heavy wind. Finn sailors train hard for competition and are known as well-rounded athletes with proven general sailing skills. Sailing the Finn is perhaps the purest athletic experience in world-class sailing today, equaled perhaps only by the windsurfer. Because the 115-square-foot sail is fully adjustable and its shape bears directly on performance and boat speed, the Finn is extremely responsive. Mastery of the craft is never quite fully achieved. Finn sailors may have sailed the craft for years, yet find some small nuance of tactics, weight or other adjustment producing a better result and luring them to a lifelong love of the boat. Designed by Swedish sailor Richard Sarby in 1949, the boat was the winner of a design competition to provide the best possible single-handed boat for the 1952 Olympic Games in Finland. The new Finn challenged the sailor to the maximum, which immediately attracted many competitors. The Finn remains the oldest continuous class in Olympic sailing. More than 12,000 of the boats have been built worldwide and at least 65 nations have active Finn fleets.
Europe single-handed dinghy (women)
Designed in Belgium in 1960 by Alois Roland, the Europe is often called the small Finn because of the similarity in design between the two boats: one-person centerboards with many controls. Although technically open to any sailor, the Europe has attracted female international competitors with its ideal size for sailors weighing 100 to 170 pounds. Boat handling is the key attraction of the Europe. Its slick trimming design makes it practical and efficient in adjusting the boat to the sailor's height, weight and experience. This provides a wide range of options for the most economic way of hiking, regardless of the height of the sailor. Hiking is the sailor's move of hooking his or her feet under seat belt-type webbing on the floor of the boat and hanging over the side, thereby adding weight to keep the boat upright. The mast and sail are selected and adjusted to the sailor's height and weight. This encourages sharper competition and ease of handling without the common use of weight jackets for added ballast. The 99-pound Europe's 16'6" mast supports 76 square feet of sail. The boats small light frame makes it easily transportable, another reason why more than 20,000 Europe sailors compete in local, regional, national and world cup competition.
470 double-handed dinghy (men and women)
The 470 is sailed by everyone, from the young and old, to the experienced and beginning sailor. In 1963, French architect Andre Cornu designed the double-handed (two-person) centerboard boat as an easily-sailed modern, high-performance fiberglass planing dinghy. The craft so influenced European sailing that the 470 is directly credited with encouraging new sailors to the sport during the 1960s and 1970s. An Olympic class boat since 1976, 470s are sailed today for both family recreation and superior competition by more than 30,000 sailors in 42 countries worldwide. The 470 is so popular that its annual World Cup event is considered one of sailing's major international regattas, and is attended by many sailors and spectators from around the world. A light and narrow boat, the 470 responds easily and immediately to body movement. Thus, the sailors' teamwork and tactics complement one another. The skipper is smaller and lighter (5'5" to 5'10" and 125 140 pounds), and the crew is long and light (5'10" to 6'2", yet only 135 150 pounds). The crew's body type lets him or her hang far out on the trapeze to keep the boat level in all conditions. In 1988, women officially entered Olympic sailing competition with the first-ever women's 470 class. This boat is especially well-suited to women's competition because of its light weight, maneuverability and light crew weight requirement.
Laser centerboard dinghy (open)
Replacing the Flying Dutchman in Olympic competition, the Laser has been called the world's premier one-person racing sailboat. With 150,000 Lasers sailing in 85 countries, this boat has motivated more sailors from junior to masters to excel in the sport than any design in the history of sailing. It's fast, responsive, lightweight (car-toppable) and virtually maintenance-free. The Laser's accessibility and modest price make it an Olympic sailor's dream. An added bonus is the 1,000 worldwide regattas held each year by the Laser Class Association. First produced in 1970, the Laser caught on during a boom period for recreational sailing. However, the first design has proven its ability to survive more trying times as well, reaching its current level of popularity with minimal backpedaling over the years. Perhaps it is because every sailor seems to come in contact with the Laser at least once in his or her sailing career, and the boat is so endearing that many cannot continue racing without getting back to their Laser roots at least once in a while. Though the Laser is offered with three different rig sizes for different weights and skill levels, it is the International Laser that has been selected for an Olympic debut in 1996. With 76 square feet of sail and a hull that measures 13'11", the International Laser is ideal for the single-handed sailor of 150 pounds and more.
Tornado two-person multihull (open)
Speed! Speed! Speed! With 15 20 knots average speed (approximately 20 mph), the Tornado catamaran is the fastest of the Olympic class boats, capable of speeds up to 30 knots (35 mph). The clean, stiletto-shaped 20'-long hull and large-sail-to-low-weight ratio give the Tornado the aerodynamics to easily glide across the water. The 272 square feet of sail area over the catamaran's 9'11" beam allow for quick acceleration. Five seconds before the gun and motionless at 50' from the start, Tornados will cross the line at the gun at top speed. Tornado skippers must know aerodynamics in order to control the boat's quick response to wind and waves. Often called "daredevils" because of the incredible boat speed and ease of capsizing, Tornado sailors are tall and lean in order to hang far out on the trapeze. Designed in 1966 in England, the Tornado entered Olympic competition in 1972. More than 1,300 Tornados are sailed worldwide.
Star two-person keelboat (open)
"Requiring the best technical and racing skills and, in return, giving the most fun!" That's how Star sailors describe their boat, which has competed in Olympic sailing since 1932. The oldest one-design craft, the Star's 1910 design by American Frances Sweisguth responded to the need to create a bigger, more comfortable and drier "Bug," a 17-ft. keelboat popular at the time. The first one-design class, the Star revolutionized construction and racing rules. Sweisguth's full design has withstood the test of time and the application of new technology to remain at the forefront of international competition. Star world champions acknowledge their win by permanently changing their red main sail to gold. Raced in 22 countries, the Star features a sleek fiberglass hull and aluminum spars. Often called "the Torture Rack" because of the enormous 285-square-foot sail area, long boom and narrow waterline, the Star is a challenging boat to sail in heavy seas. The skipper and crew must be big (average combined weight of 420 pounds), very fit and strong. Bahamian Durward Knowles, a Star gold medalist and eight-time Olympian, was awarded the "Olympic Medal" in 1988, the most prestigious honor given by the International Olympic Committee. Other international Star greats include America's Cup skippers Dennis Conner and Buddy Melges, Pelle Peterson, Bill Buchan, Mark Reynolds and Tom Blackaller.
Soling three-person keelboat (open)
The longest and heaviest of the classes, the Soling is the only three-person sailboat in Olympic competition. Designed in 1964 by Jan Herman Linge of Norway, the Soling is a keelboat with a close, tactical, large-fleet racing style. The 3,000 Solings raced worldwide are built from IYRU-measured casts which must be approved before leaving their manufacturer in Norway. Soling sailors are generally big (averaging 190 to 210 pounds), and also must be exceptional sailors and strategists to share in the sail trimming and tactical duties. Often considered the senior Olympic Class, sailors often graduate to the Soling in their second or third Olympic campaigns.
This is an official publication of The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department.
| The volunteer staff of the 1996 Olympic Games totaled 50,152. They worked an estimated 850,000 shifts. |