International Umpire

An Umpire is responsible for making decisions about the rules of sailing when asked to do so by competitiors and will be present close to the race course to monitor the action.

World Sailing Race Officials Administration is governed by Section 3 of the World Sailing Regulations.

Become an International Umpire

First Time Applications

The basic requirements for a candidate applying to become and International Umpire (IU) are:

recently raced, preferably match, fleet or team racing;
be able to apply the relevant rules and make correct decisions within a few seconds under pressure;
be able to drive and position small powerboats with the anticipation of how boats manoeuvre in match and / or team racing;
have attended an World Sailing Umpiring Seminar;
have passed the World Sailing examination and performance assessment
have acted as an umpire in at least eight principal events in the last four years, one of those must be outside their Group or MNAs as applicable and shall include a range of Grades;
have obtained a completed IUSC Reference Form from the Chief Umpire at at lease three of the principal events

All candidates must ensure they have read the relevant sections within the Race Officials Roles, Qualifications and Competences document and World Sailing Regulations in full in order to understand the complete qualifcations required to become an International Umpire.

Renewing Your Status

The procedure to apply for re-appointment for World Sailing Race Officials is detailed in Section 3 of the World Sailing Regulations. Candidates must complete the official application form and send it directly to World Sailing by 1 September and continue to meet the required qualification standards.

The basic requirements for a candidate applying to renew their status as an International Umpire are the same as for new appointments with the exception that there is no need to reattend an Umpire Seminar or obtain a performance assessment or reference forms.

All candidate applying to renew their status as an International Umpire must ensure they have read the relevant sections within the Race Officials Roles, Qualifications and Competencies document and World Sailing Regulations in full in order to understand the complete qualifications required to become an International Umpire.

Applications can be made by registration to the World Sailing International Race Officials Application Portal with a valid World Sailing ID.

Applying to be an International Umpire

The World Sailing International Race Officials Application Portal opens on 1 March each year, for applicants to begin preparing a first time or renewal application to submit by 1 September.

To begin an application all officials must have a valid World Sailing ID.

World Sailing Education for International Umpires

The Seminars and Clinics for Umpires are intended to improve the standard of regional/group umpiring and to assist people who wish to become an International Umpire. Both are hosted by Member National Authorities.

Information about hosting a World Sailing Seminar and Clinic is available in the International Umpire Resource Centre.

New Appointments & Renewals

Following the World Sailing Annual Conference in November each year, World Sailing publishes details of the candidates who successfully completed the application procedure to become a World Sailing Official for the first time and those who have had their status renewed.

The appointment and/or approval of World Sailing Race Officials to international events is defined in World Sailing Regulation 25. World Sailing has the right to appoint race officials for events in order to ensure that they are fully trained and qualified.

The document found below 2023 World Sailing Race Official Appointments details the names, nationalities and the term of appointment.

2023 World Sailing Race Official Appointments