Types of Sailing

Fleet Racing

Fleet racing is the most common form of competitive sailing that involves boats racing around a course.

Fleet racing can be either ‘one-design or ‘handicap’. As at the Olympic Sailing Competition, one-design racing means that the boats racing against each other are identical. Handicap racing means different types of boats can race against each other. Each boat has a handicap or rating so that their finish times can be adjusted or their start time determined so that the slowest boats start first.

Fleet racing can be any length of time, with several taking place in a day.

Match Racing

A match race consists of two identical boats racing against each other. This is a one-on-one duel of strategy and tactics and the objective is simple – to cross the finish line first.

A match racing course is always a windward/leeward course and each race takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. A match race begins four minutes before the starting time when each boat must enter the starting area from opposite ends of the start line. As soon as they enter the starting area, they will engage in a pre-start battle as each one tries to gain an advantage over the other. They both try to cause the other boat to infringe a rule and so receive a penalty or to simply get the most advantageous position on the starting line for themselves so they are in control of the race.

Match racing is officiated by umpires on the water who follow the boats and make instant on-course decisions about whether a penalty is given. The umpire boat will use yellow and blue flags to indicate which boat has been given a penalty or a green flag if no penalty is given.

When a boat is penalised it must complete a full circle penalty turn. This can be done at any time during the race before the finish line. If one boat has a penalty and the other also gets one before the first has taken theirs then they are cancelled out. If a boat receives three penalties then it is disqualified.

Team Racing

Team Racing typically consists of two teams each of three boats competing against each other. It is a fast-paced racing style which depends on excellent boat handling skills and rapid tactical decision-making.

The teams try to achieve a winning combination of places – the lowest score wins. The scoring system is 1 for first place, 2 for second and so on. If one boat in the team wins the race they are not guaranteed glory as their combined score must be ten or less to win – 2,3,5 = 10 points v 1,4,6 = 11 points. If a team is lying in 1,4,6 then the boat in first place will go back and try to help his team mates through to 2,3,5 or better. How does he do this?

A team racer has two main weapons. Firstly, he can position his boat between the wind and his opponent, thus blanketing his sails and slowing him down. Secondly, he can use the right of way rules to his advantage. Approaching his opponent in such a way that his adversary has to change course or incur a penalty. Both these weapons are deployed before the start when the manoeuvres begin, with all six boats performing an intricate and aggressive dance to try and gain the advantage.

The racing is followed by umpires on the water who issue on the spot penalties. If a boat is protested against by another boat they can accept it and perform a 360 degree penalty turn straight away or wait for the umpires to give a decision which may result in a green flag (no penalty) or a 720 degree turn.

Offshore & Oceanic Sailing

World Sailing promotes Oceanic and Offshore racing and cruising around the world. Oceanic racing is defined as any offshore race over 800 miles.

There are many types of Oceanic and Offshore racing events which are organised for one design classes as well as handicap or rating systems. In order to achieve an orderly schedule, World Sailing works with event organisers to monitor the calendar of events. The differences between the types of Oceanic and Offshore racing, ranging from trans-oceanic racing to short-course day races sailed in protected waters, are reflected in the six categories of the World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations which provide for the differences in the minimum standards of safety and accommodation.

Para World Sailing

World Sailing is responsible for Para World Sailing. It is administered through the World Sailing Head Office in London, UK and the Para World Sailing Committee.

Sailing is a versatile sport for everybody and sailboats can accommodate many abilities. The first step is to find out what is already happening in your area by contacting the World Sailing Member National Authority (MNA) or Para Sports Organisation in your country, or simply visiting a local sailing club.

In 1996, sailing was included on the programme of the Paralympic Games as a demonstration event and it remained a full medal sport until the Rio 2016 Para Games. It is one of the only sports in the Para sports in which athletes of any disability compete together.

Cruising

Cruising is arguably the most commonly enjoyed sailing discipline. Cruising can be a coastal day sail or a longer distance international journeys.

Through its responsibility to all areas of the sport, World Sailing works with a number of organisations to defend boater rights. Cruising can be a coastal day sail or a longer distance international journeys crossing oceans and national borders.

World Sailing works with organisations such as the International Maritime Organisation and the International Organisation for Standardisation to represent the interests of sailors worldwide.

The Piracy updates and links in the Safety section are essential reading for sailors considering cruising in certain waters.

Expression Events

Includes Wave, Freestyle and other disciplines – where competitors don’t race around a course but instead display their skills to a panel of judges. Common in-board disciplines such as windsurfing, kitesurfing and wingfoiling.

Radio Sailing

Radio Controlled (RC) sailing combines the skills and techniques of full-size fleet racing, but at a fraction of the cost. Most boats are easily transported in a compact car making the sport accessible to all ages from junior to senior, and racing is usually accessible to disabled sailors on an equal footing.

Radio Sailing uses the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), modified slightly by Appendix E. Races typically last about 15 minutes, and it is not unusual to complete 30 races over the course of a weekend regatta. This fast pace, when combined with large fleets of RC sailboats with similar performance, puts a premium on tactics and knowledge of the RRS.

Radio Sailing is administered by the International Radio Sailing Association (IRSA), a World Sailing affiliate, and has over 30 member countries across six continents.