The Women's RS:X - A History Lesson...

Women’s RS:X racing will start at 13:10 local time on Monday 8 August 2016 on the Pao de Acucar racing area but before the Olympic racing starts, we look back and find out more about the women’s windsurfing event.

Previous Olympic Medallists
 
The inaugural RS:X Women’s medal was won by Yin Jian (CHN). Jian also holds the honour of being the first ever Chinese medalist in sailing. At London 2012, Marina Alabau Neira (ESP) won the gold medal in a dominant display of windsurfing prowess which saw her win three of the ten races and the Medal Race. 
 
Recent World Champions
 
The 2016 World Championship was dominated by Malgorzata Bialecka (POL) but the Rio 2016 quad also saw Charline Picon (FRA), Peina Chen (CHN) and Lee Korsiz (ISR) top the podium. Snapping at their heels Beijing Bronze medallist Bryony Shaw (GBR) was the proverbial bridesmaid, with three second places – she’ll be hoping to go one better in Rio!
 
Life as an Olympic Event
 
The Women’s windsurfer started out as an exhibition event at Los Angeles 1984 before being awarded full inclusion in Barcelona 1992. Barbara Kendall (NZL) won the first ever female windsurfing Olympic gold medal in the Women’s Lechner A-390 class. The Lechner A-390 was replaced by the Mistral One Design for 1996 and then the RS:X for 2008.
 
Windsurfing has always been a very physical discipline and was made even more so when unlimited “pumping” was permitted in 1992. Sailors pump their sail as often as they can to create artificial wind which can greatly increase their speed. Pumping requires both power and endurance which makes it extremely tough on the body so windsurfers have to be super fit.
 
Women’s windsurfing is an event where four nations have historically been strong. The rivalry between the Dutch, Israelis, Spanish and French sailors is always fierce and offers some real drama on the water. The last few years the cerebral Chinese (gold medal winners in 2008) and the mighty Polish have entered the fray.
 
What’s it like to sail?
 
It’s a fast paced, physical class which offers close racing and lots of visual thrill.
 
Short History of the Class and Key specs
 
Designed in 2004 by Jean Bouldoires & Robert Stroj to fit the criteria for one-design windsurfing equipment for the 2008 Olympic Games, The RS:X women’s board features an 8.5m high technology rig, with carbon mast and boom, a modern ‘wide-style’ board. The design of the RS:X’s centerboard is it’s stand-out feature – making it particularly versatile, enabling competitions to be held in virtually any wind condition.
 
Famous Faces
 
Windsurfing legends Alessandra Sensini (ITA) and Barbara Kendall finished their competitive careers in the RS:X, both taking multiple medals at the World Championships before hanging up their harnesses.
 
Other superstars include Marina Alabau (ESP) Zofia Klepacka (POL), Faustine Merret (FRA), Yin Jian (CHN) and Lilian de Geus (NED).
 
Did you know…
 
These girls can! Studies have shown that, in terms of fitness, Olympic Windsurfers come within the top 10% of athletes at the Olympic Games.

RIO 2016 OLYMPIC SAILING COMPETITION USEFUL LINKS
World Sailing Olympic Website – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/home.php
Rio 2016 Schedule – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/about/schedule.php#.V5Yw346BLqM
Rio 2016 Olympic Sailors – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/qualification/sailors.php#.V5Yw946BLqM