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Windsurfing, Kitesurfing & Sailing

Windsurfing In The Olympics: An Essential Guide To The Rio 2016 Windsurfing Events, The Rules And Schedule

Want to know when the Olympic windsurfing events are broadcast at Rio 2016? We've got all the important information here...

Windsurfing was late comer to the Summer Olympics. While sailing was introduced in 1900, windsurfing was first introduced into the Olympics in 1984 for men and 1992 for women.

Historically, the most successful countries for windsurfing in the Olympics have varied over the years. New Zealand has won the most Olympic medals in windsurfing across men’s and women’s event.

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Windsurfing was famously cut as an Olympic event back in 2012 and replaced with kitesurfing. However, it was reinstated again six months later by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) after pressure from windsurf federations.

You read more about the history of windsurfing here.

RIO 2016 OLYMPIC WINDSURFING – THE EVENTS & COURSE

There are two Olympic windsurfing events – the men’s and women’s RS:X. Photo: iStock

At Rio 2016, there are only two Olympic windsurfing events – men’s RS:X and women’s RS:X. 36 countries have qualified for the men’s RS:X fleet and 26 for the women’s.

New Zealand has won the most Olympic medals in windsurfing across men’s and women’s events”

There are 12 races in total – the top ten competitors from these races will go into the final race.

Interested in finding out more about what the windsurfing Olympics events entail? Read our article on the windsurfing Rio 2016 Olympics race course and schedule here.

WHO IS REPRESENTING TEAM GB IN WINDSURFING?

Photo: Rick Tomlinson via. British Sailing

It is also one of the sports Great Britain has a good chance at gaining medals in. Bryony Shaw took home a bronze in the 2008 Olympics and Nick Dempsey secured a silver medal in the 2012 London Olympics.

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Both are competing again in Rio this summer.Find out more about the Team GB potential medallists (plus the ones to watch) here.

RIO 2016 OLYMPIC WINDSURFING – THE RULES

Over 60 competitors will compete in the Olympic windsurfing events at Rio 2016. Photo: iStock

There are many rules when it comes to windsurfing in the Olympics. Many of them overlap with sailing, so if you are well-versed in your starboard and windward rules, then you need not read on.

However, if you are looking to understand the basics before the big events, read our article on the basic windsurfing racing rules for the Olympics here.

WHEN IS WINDSURFING ON AT RIO 2016 OLYMPICS?

The BBC will be broadcasting all Olympic events during August. Photo: iStock

The Rio 2016 Olympics start on 5 August 2016. For UK viewers, The Games will be broadcast live across the BBC for the duration. Windsurfing is set to kick off on Monday 8 August and run until Monday 15 August.

Read our article on the windsurfing schedule here for more information on dates and timings of individual heats.

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