World Sailing's Role

World Sailing is the World Governing Body for the Sport of Sailing, and one of 35 International Sports Federations (IFs) recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

World Sailing is responsible for:

• the promotion of the sport internationally
• managing sailing at the Olympic and Paralympic Games
• developing the Racing Rules of Sailing and the World Sailing Regulations
• the training of judges, umpires and other administrators
• the development of the sport around the world
• representing sailors in all matters concerning the sport

The role of International Federations, as defined by the Olympic Charter, is “to assume the responsibility for the technical control and direction of their sports at the Olympic Games.”

World Sailing, then known as the International Yacht Racing Union, first undertook this role at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, and has been at the helm of every Olympic Sailing Competition since then.

World Sailing currently consists of 146 member nations, called Member National Authorities (MNAs), who are its principal members, responsible for the decision-making process that governs the sailing world.

The World Sailing family also includes a great variety of different boat classes – currently there are 119 World Sailing Classes.

Every November, the World Sailing family gather at the Annual Conference to discuss, debate and decide upon the key issues in the sailing world.

Timeline

1907: The birth of the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU), which would become ISAF then World Sailing
1920: Following the 1920 Olympic Games, the IYRU assumes technical control for the yachting events at the Olympic Games
1996: The International Yacht Racing Union changes its name to the International Sailing Federation (ISAF)
2007: The International Sailing Federation celebrates its centenary year
2015: The International Sailing Federation changes its name to World Sailing