Organisational Structure

World Sailing is the global governing body for the sport of sailing.

World Sailing represents Member National Authorities (MNAs) from 140 countries with the goal of growing the sport of sailing and officiating championships around the world.

 

World Sailing
The organisation has six main branches:
  • Board of Directors
  • Council
  • Member National Authorities (MNAs)
  • Specialist Commissions and Committtees
  • Executive Office
  • Volunteers
Membership of World Sailing is offered in the following categories:
  • Full Member – Member National Authorities
  • Associate Member – MNA with reduced service and powers
  • World Sailing Class Associations
  • Rating and Handicap Systems
  • World Sailing Continental Member
  • Affiliate Member – A self-administered international organisation
Governance

World Sailing convenes every year for the Mid Year Meetings and Annual Conference, which includes the Annual General Meeting.

The General Assembly of World Sailing takes place every four years where World Sailing Officers, Council Members and Committee Members automatically retire with new representatives elected to the roles.

The MNAs meet in an official capacity once each year at the Annual General Meeting during the Annual Conference where submissions and recommendations from expert Committees and Commissions are discussed and voted on.

The Board of Directors

The Board of Directors consists of the President, seven Vice-Presidents and the Chair of the Athletes’ Commission (an ex officio member).

The Board is responsible for preparing the strategic priorities of World Sailing for Council’s approval and subsequently implementing the policy decisions of the Council and for taking all management and operational decisions on behalf of the Federation.

The Board is also responsible for the appointment and supervision of the work of the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Office.

World Sailing Board Charter

Current Board of Directors – 2024-2028

The Council

At the head of the decision making process is the Council, the main policy-making body of World Sailing. Council appoints Committees to focus on specific disciplines.

It consists of the Board of Directors, elected representatives of the MNAs (known as Council Groups), the Chairman of the Oceanic and Offshore Committee, a representative of the World Sailing Classes Committee, a women’s representative, an athlete’s representative and three non-voting members (Treasurer and two Officers of Honour).

The present Council has 42 members and is chaired by the President.

Member National Authorities

The Member National Authorities (MNAs) are the principle members of World Sailing and are responsible for the decision making process that governs the sailing world. They are the national governing bodies for the sport of sailing around the world.

MNA representatives on Council are elected every four years in the months before the General Assembly.

Commissions, Committees and Forums

The World Sailing Council appoints Committees to consider Submissions for change in major policy areas.

Committees are made up of a panel of experts and make recommendations to the Council whether submissions put forward by members should be approved, rejected or deferred.

Commissions are specialist bodies appointed by and report to the Board of Directors (except the Ethics Commission, which is an independent body).

The Women’s Forum has the objective to encourage and increase participation by women in all aspects of sailing and sailing administration. The Chair of the Forum is a Council Member.

Executive Office

The Chief Executive Officer is in charge of the daily operations of World Sailing and supported by a team of dedicated staff based at World Sailing’s head office.

The CEO is appointed by the Board.