1. Sails & rig components: the idea that many different brands can make and market the defined Olympic sail sizes and components is an interesting one. We support this concept;

2. Boards:

a. It is the opinion of Boards & More GmbH that the current Olympic board is the most suitable existing equipment for the Olympics 2008 in China. Boards & More stands fully behind the continued production of the Mistral One Design. We shall continue to produce the board as long as there are customers willing to buy it.

b. However, if the ISAF and its Member National Authorities wish to select more modern equipment for the Olympic windsurfing discipline, we are more than happy to produce a new, light-weight dedicated race board for the purpose.

In our view, a centerboard is a fundamental requirement for such a board, which should also be based on the latest design thinking to ensure racing in the same conditions as those in which the other Olympic Sailing Classes compete.

We appreciate that, in ideal circumstances, it might be reasonable to have a great many different facilities involved in the production of the board. However, the reality is that there are probably only two factories in the world (Boards & More and Bic) who could undertake such a production and reach the consistently uniform and high standard of quality required by sailors at the Olympic level.

Boards & More has gained over more than a decade’s extensive experience as the supplier of the current Olympic equipment and has a unique fund of in-house production know-how built up over more than 20 years. We are happy to make hulls in our production facility for other brands.

c. We also believe that the Formula Windsurfing format as it currently stands is not suitable for Olympic competition for two main reasons:

i. the equipment is very expensive using large fins (60 – 70 cms) made from pre-preg carbon, 100% carbon masts and booms, and sails that are very specialised;

ii. and unless you have equipment that is right at the cutting edge, the absolute best stuff, then fair and equitable racing cannot take place in effective wind-speeds of less than 9 knots.

d. The idea of a producing the Olympic hull as a “white board” for other brands (whether they are currently in windsurfing or not) to use as a marketing vehicle is an interesting one, which we also support.

Boards & More GmbH is dedicated to continuing its support of the ISAF and its MNAs started by Mistral in 1992 and believe that windsurfing adds great value to the Olympic sailing family supported as it is by nations rich and poor from all over the world.

Yours sincerely,

Boris Zwetkoff

Business Unit Manager Windsurf

Cc Arve Sundheim / ISAF; Aaron Botzer / ISAF; Rich Jeffries / ISAF; Greg Johns / IMCO; Rory Ramsden / IMCO