The Equipment - Windsurfers are the fastest monohull sailing crafts in the world today. It is believed that there are more windsurfers worldwide today than all other sailboats combined, and their popularity continues to grow. This is due to the craft's small size, low cost, portability and the excitement of "flying" over the water as if there were no craft below. The sensation of speed is further enhanced by the sailor's close proximity to the water.

Debuting at the 1984 Summer Games, the windsurfing event utilized the Lechner II-brand board in competition for three Olympiads, including the first women's Olympic windsurfing event which was introduced in 1992. In 1996, the Mistral replaced the Lechner for both the Men's and Women's divisions. Measuring in at 12' 2", this popular fiberglass windsurfer is topped by a 7.4 square-meter sail. The IMCO (International Mistral Class Organization) is the largest one-design windsurfing class in the world, making the Mistral a very practical choice for the Olympics in terms of accessibility.

Windsurfers are great athletes, navigators, and sailors. Physically, the best windsurfing sailors are tall, lean and agile. Standing while sailing, these athletes utilize tremendous upper body strength to support and control their rigs. As the wind increases, the sailors' strength often governs. Yet, it is common to see a 105-lb. woman complete a race in the same time as a 150-lb. man, thereby proving that balance and sensitivity to the windsurfer are equally critical.

The Entrants - There will be a total of 28 entries for the Women’s Windsurfer (Mistral) event.  The following countries have qualified to send an entrant:  ARG, AUS, BEL, BRA, BUL, CAN, CHN, CYP, ESP, FRA, GBR, GER, GRE, HKG, HUN, ISR, ITA, JPN, LAT, MEX, NOR, NZL, POL, PUR, SUI, TUN, UKR, USA. 

The Competition - Notable foreign competition will include 2000 Mistral Women’s Olympic Gold Medallist and 2004 World Champion Alessandra Sensini (ITA), 2000 Mistral Women’s Olympic Bronze Medallist Barbara Kendall (NZL) who finished second overall at the 2004 Mistral Women’s World Championships, Faustine Merret (FRA), third overall at the 2004 Mistral Women’s World Championships, and Lai Shan Lee (HKG), winner of the 1996 Mistral Women’s Olympic Gold Medal – the first-ever medal for Honk Kong.

The Schedule -