The ISAF Athletes Commission

Sailing is one of, if not the most diverse sport. You can make it as challenging or relaxing as you desire, cruse inland waters or brave racing in the open ocean. There is something for everyone of any age, size and mobility. Sailing is a lifetime sport for the whole family.

At Olympic level, the sport requires intelligent athletes with exceptional problem solving skills and an acute awareness for detecting subtle changes in wind, waves & tide whilst outsmarting the opposition to find the quickest route around the course to win the race. 

Sailing has a lot to offer the audience. Best viewed as a pre-recorded highlights show using the advanced technologies on offer such as GPS units to track the boats and graphic packages to show the arial views of the action. This removes the need to have expensive helicopters flying over head disturbing the winds whilst racing. Plus use onboard cameras and microphones to film right into the action and show the athletic sometimes acrobatic skills required.

The Medal Race is the last race of the regatta. It is where the medals are won and lost. The Medal Race is fast and exciting. The course is shorter and quicker than that used in the qualifying rounds. This keeps the racing close and makes it suitable for filming live. Only the top ten places boats from the qualifying round get to enter this final race. The points are doubled and must be counted in the overall point score making the chances for changes in the leader board a greater possibility. 

The Olympic Sailing Event consists of 10 different events. 6 men’s events and 4 women’s events. There are a total of 380 competitors. The Events and classes in the 2012 London Olympic Games are;

• Women’s Windsurfing – RS:X Class
• Men’s Windsurfing – RS:X Class
• Women’s 1-Person Dinghy – Laser Radial Class
• Men’s 1-Person Dinghy – Laser Class
• Men’s 1-Person Heavy-weight Dinghy – Finn Class
• Women’s 2-Person Dinghy – 470
• Men’s 2-Person Dinghy – 470
• Men’s 2-Person Skiff – 49er
• Women’s Match Racing – Elliot 6m
• Men’s Keelboat – Star Class