#KITESURFING - The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has responded to the legal challenge from the International RS:X Class Association to its decision to cut Olympic windsurfing from the Rio games in 2016 in favour of kitesurfing.
As previously reported on Afloat.ie, kitesurfing was given two medal events at the next Olympics following a mid-term meeting of the ISAF Council in Italy nearly three months ago.
In a statement, the ISAF said it "intends to fully defend the decision of the ISAF Council, which was made in accordance with the ISAF regulations and the defined decision making processes of the ISAF."
Sailing's world governing body said it was "extremely disappointed that this course of action has been taken" - rather than the "normal submission process" to request the council to reconsider its decision at the ISAF AGM in November - "not least because responding to legal claims will incur substantial and unnecessary legal costs for ISAF and for the class itself."
There has been some controversy surrounding the decision to include kitesurfing over windsurfing at the Rio games after claims that the council vote was married by "language difficulties" among the Spanish delegate.
Spain, a long-time windsurfing stalwart, surprised many by joining the 19-17 vote in favour of the newer discipline, which was supported by Ireland's John Crebbin.
