I don't understand. They didn't get the 75% vote to re-open discussions, but then kiteboarding was removed anyway? How did that happen?

+1 It sucks for the olympic hopefuls, but there's something kind of douchey about the whole olympics that kiteboarding can do without. At least kiteboarders won't be subject to this:

http://www.surfertoday.com/kiteboarding ... teboarding

Don't worry , you'll be one of those eventually

GREAT NEWS! Very happy to hear! It was starting to get all too 'serious' there for a minute. Leave the serious Olympic stuff and politics to the other sports.

..and there goes the sales uptake on raceboards! Seriously, I too am dissapointed to hear this, i know a lot of folks were gearing up for the event.

There has been a lot of stuff going in the back for this deal. It looks like a case of under the table debate. I would consider asking the olympic committee to have a look at the process.

It really makes the whole sailing industry look like a bunch of buffoons.

Not necessarily, I think kite racing will continue to boom. In fact I think it will do better now that people know that there aren't going to be a bunch of boof-heads taking every race so seriously. I am not talking about the few that are really talented and exceptionally good, I'm sure you know the kinds of people I mean.

I am going to buy a race board in January ready for our next kiting season. My initial comment does sound a bit inconsiderate to those good people that had their hopes up, so to them, my condolences.