Olympic Games 1996

THREE PERSON KEELBOAT OPEN INTERNATIONAL SOLING CLASS

The Soling was designed specifically as a result of the request from the IYRU in 1966/97 to find a new three person racing keelboat. The Soling first appeared at the 1972 Olympics in Kiel.

From 1972-1988 the Solings raced a fleet racing format, as in all the other Olympic Classes. At the 1992 Olympic Regatta match racing was introduced and will again be part of the format in 1996. The top 6 boats from the fleet races go through to a round robin one-on-one match racing series, with the top finisher the winner.

SPECIFICATIONS

Length overall:	8.2m (26feet, 9inches)
Beam:	1.9m (6feet, 3inches)
Weight:	1035 kgs (2281lbs)
Main Sail Area:	13.6m2 (146.38 square feet)
Jib Area:	8.1m2 (87 square feet)
Spinnaker Area:	33m2 (355square feet)

Designed: In 1964 by Jan Linge (NOR)
Optimum Crew weight: Individual 70-90kgs (154-198lbs), All up 255kgs (562lbs)

THE BOATS AT THE OLYMPICS

Competitors shall supply their own yachts, sails and equipment for the Soling Class. The yachts must be presented with a valid measurement certificate and, where required by the Class Rules, the completed measurement form and will be subject to full measurement.

Equipment will be limited as follows, except where the Olympic Regatta Measurement Committee approves replacement of damaged or lost items:

• One Hull
• One Mast
• One Boom
• One Spinnaker Boom
• One Mainsail
• Two Jibs
• One Large Spinnaker
• One Small Spinnaker