Foiling. IS.
READY.
Paris 2024
WHAT IS WINDFOIL1?
IT'S THE FUTURE - IT'S HERE RIGHT NOW
THE VISION
The vision of Windfoil1 (“WF1”) was to create an international windfoil racing class supported by and grown by the industry for the sailors. The primary purpose for the class is for it to be the Olympic discipline for 2024, but it is not the only purpose and the class will continue either way. The overarching goal is to simplify and unite. ​Underpinning the concept are basic guiding principles around price, universality, performance, industry backing and simplicity where possible. As such the class is proposed as a combination of one-design components and registered series production components.
In developing the WF1 rules, parameters and vision we have worked extensively with our founding industry partners. We are also grateful for the support from the Formula Foil Windsurfing Class, as well as the guidance from both RS:X sailors and sailors in the PWA. The WF1 “brain trust” includes Olympic Medalists Aaron McIntosh, Dorian van Rijsselberghe, and Nick Dempsey as well as America's Cup legend Glenn Ashby, who have all provided drive and guidance. ​
​We are a class association by the sailors, for the sailors.
ONE BOARD – ONE FOIL – TWO SAILS
WF1 BASICS
New things can be confusing, so we've tried to make it easy for you. Here's a quick summary of the the WF1 basics:​
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WF1 is a "Registered Series Production" Class for most main components, except for the Board which is one-design with multiple licensed builders. Registered Series Production essentially just means you can buy it off the shelf at a shop.
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The package is designed to be able to evolve to allow it to remain suitable for 2028, 2032 and beyond.
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Competitors are allowed to register 1x Board, 2x Sails, 1x Mast, 1x Boom, and 1x Foil so long as those components comply with Class Rules.
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Sail sizes are 9.5 and 8.5 for Men, 8.5 and 7.5 for Women and Youth.
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We have developed revolutionary and dynamic racing formats and courses to bring the sport into the future.
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Our founding industry partners are Starboard, Severne, Phantom International, and NeilPryde*but there are dozens of brands with eligible class legal equipment already on the market.
*NeilPryde however supports RS:X for 2024,
WHO ARE WE?
THE TEAM
We believe the saying goes, behind every great elephant there lies a great engineer – or something like that. Well we have a team of great engineers. But we call them the braintrust, the dream-team, or simply just... The Team. Whichever of those you prefer, that team includes:
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Antonio Cozzolino (NZL) – Chairperson, current RS:X and PWA sailor.
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Dorian van Rijsselberghe (NED) – Olympic Gold Medalist 2012 and 2016.
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Nick Dempsey (GBR) – Olympic Bronze Medalist 2004, Silver Medalist 2012 and 2016.
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Aaron McIntosh (NZL) – Olympic Bronze Medalist 2000.
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Glenn Ashby (AUS) – America’s Cup Winner 2017, multiple World Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist.
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Elliot Carney (GBR) – GBR RS:X Representative.
One of the most exciting future aspects of this new direction of sailing, is that it brings sailors and windsurfers together collectively, inspiring the next generation to raise the bar and to be part of something very special.. – GLENN ASHBY
WHY WINDFOILING?
EVOLUTION
Anyone will tell you that THERE'S NO SENSATION QUITE like planning on a windsurfer. That was true. UNtil now. NOW we have foiling, and it's another world – DOrian van rijsselberghe
FORMAT REVOLUTION
WF1 RACING FORMAT
We know that windfoil racing is not possible on one course configuration in all conditions. So, we had to put our heads together. The result was the creation a format package able to deliver engaging racing for all windsurfers as well as creating the ultimate test for athletes to perform on the Olympic stage. We call it "The WF1 Racing format" and it consists of five different racing sub-formats:
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Classic
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Marathon
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Point to Point
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Sprint Slalom
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GPS Speed
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The justification behind the WF1 Racing format is that it represents a broader cross-section of what windsurfing is today. It is intended to promote interest, excitement and engagement in the sport. It caters not just to Olympic level sailors but to a broad array of participants – in particular it is intended to appeal to the Youth.
We're in for a change. THIS FORMAT has got a lot of windsurfers REALLY excited. IT HAS TAKEN IT TO THE NEXT LEVEl
– AARON mcintosh
A NEW LEVEL OF ENGAGMENT
WF1 RACING EVENTS
The main events where the equipment was tested / eligible to race and the countries represented in those events in 2019 were:
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New Zealand Windfoil Racing Series 2018/2019, consisting of 4 full length regattas;
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Medemblik Regatta 2019
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Texel Waves Invitation GP 2019
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Formula Foil World Championships and the IFCA Foil World Championships 2019 (with the exception of the board which at the time was not yet registered).
With the exception of the Formula Foil World Championships where only Course Racing was used, and the IFCA Foil World Championship which are yet to take place, the other 6 regattas used all of the sub-formats outlined in the format section above.
The main events where the equipment will be eligible to race in 2020 are:
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Formula Foil World Championships 2020;
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Formula Foil European Championships 2020;
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New Zealand Windfoil Racing Series 2019/2020;
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Medemblik Regatta 2020;
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Texel Waves Festival 2020;
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Australian Nationals 2020.
INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION &
WINDSURFING WILL GROW
YOUTH PATHWAY
In selecting Olympic equipment in line with this tender, it important that a comparable foiling youth class is chosen as well. Excellent foiling/convertible equipment suitable for youth sailing is already available on the market.
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The parameters for this equipment should be, broadly speaking: a similar board to the Olympic equipment but in more durable construction. The sail for boys and girls should be the 8.5 and 7.5 m2 with the accompanying mast from the Olympic package or alternatively one of the rigs from the Techno, meaning that children would only have to purchase a hull when moving from Techno to foiling. The boom and foil mast should be made from aluminium; and above all it should be very affordable.
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Some brands currently produce equipment to these specifications and it is available through their worldwide distribution networks. The equipment is lower spec’ than the proposed high performance Olympic equipment, meaning with will be safe for children to learn to race on, more affordable and more durable. The speeds will be lower, limited by slower foil designs and made from aluminium construction. To continue the metaphor from above, the youth class should be seen as comparable to the 29er, or 420.
YOU WANT YOUR KIDS TO ASPIRE TO SOMETHING GREAT, WOULDN'T FOILING AT THE OLYMPICS BE SOMETHING SPECIAL. - Nick Dempsey