sciencetriffic

Wind sports are struggling for a place in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. While the RS:X Windsurfing class has been the official sailing craft for years, the new kitesurfing boom has increased its own hopes.

That's why windsurfers have launched their campaign to retain two sets of medals - men and women - in the Olympic sailing events ISAF will select to take part in the 2016 Olympic Sailing Regatta in Rio de Janeiro.

Named "Vote Windsurfing for 2016", the campaign is already firing the Facebook. "Likes" are growing like mushrooms. At the same time, the campaigners have written down the top ten reasons why windsurfing should keep its entry ticket in the Olympic Games.

1. Windsurfing is the biggest sailing discipline on the planet
2. Windsurfing attracts spectators and the media
3. Windsurfing offers the least expensive route into the Olympic Regatta for small and emerging sailing nations
4. Windsurfing is safe and easy to learn and offers little risk to other water users
5. Windsurfing is a beach lifestyle sport, which appeals to the Facebook generation not the Flinstones generation.
6. Windsurfing has a broadcast TV audience in more than 150 countries, and an internet audience in 169 countries
7. Windsurfing offers an evolution not a revolution using the most tightly controlled one design equipment.
8. Windsurfing has a well established development pathway that is growing strongly
9. Windsurf racing takes place in the same wind speeds as other Olympic Sailing Events
10. In the last 7 Olympiads, medals were won by windsurfing athletes from 5 continents

If you're a Olympic Windsurfing supporter, join the cause athttp://www.facebook.com/votewindsurfing .