World Sailing rejects conjecture over cull

World Sailing has hit back at reports saying it will cull three of New Zealand’s recent Olympic medal sources under proposed changes for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

The Olympic sailing competition for the Paris Games will be held in Marseille and a World Sailing statement said it will by next February have published decisions concerning the used events and equipment - if they’ve been approved.

Some events, including the men’s 49er, women’s 49erFX and 470 boats, may be under threat, according to a report by Sailing Illustrated.

World Sailing said in a statement that those reports were ‘‘misleading’’, but didn’t clarify which events could be affected.

‘‘The Events Committee will debate electronically which events will be placed under review and a recommendation will be given to World Sailing’s Council for approval by 31 January. By 19 February 2018, World Sailing’s Council will vote electronically on approving the Events Committee recommendation and if approved, the list of events placed under review will be published.’’

New Zealand yachting stars Peter Burling and Blair Tuke won silver and gold in the men’s 49er at the last two Olympics.

Molly Meech and Alexandra Maloney won silver in the women’s 49erFX in Rio where the class made its Olympics debut.

In the 470 scene, the crack Kiwi women’s pair of Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie dominated the last two Olympic cycles, winning gold at London and silver at Rio. Aleh and Powrie are now taking a break from Olympic class yachting.