ReutersGreat Britain have enjoyed solid medal success in the discipline in recent Games and Olympic medallists Nick Dempsey, who won bronze in Athens and silver in London, and Bryony Shaw, who claimed bronze in Beijing, expressed dismay at the original decision to replace the class with kitesurfing.
However, a meeting of the International Sailing Federation's general assembly reversed the controversial call.
“This is what the membership of the RYA asked for – we have a very strong youth pathway and some 10,000 windsurfing members of the RYA, so on their behalf we are delighted with the decision," said Royal Yachting Association performance director John Derbyshire.
“We obviously have great compassion towards the kiteboarding community, with whom we have been working very closely, and I am sure that they will continue to work very closely with both the RYA and ISAF families with a view to gaining inclusion for the discipline in future Olympic Games.
“We can now look forward to preparing for Rio 2016 with the clarity that this decision brings.”
