What is Olympic sailing? It is one of the more overlooked Summer Olympic sports. Although only the the world's top sailors make it to the Olympics, media coverage is limited.
Olympic sailors compete in one-design boats. The fastest sailor in each class wins an Olympic Sailing gold medal.
THE COMPETITION
In the modern Olympics, there are 11 Olympic Sailing classes that take place on the race course:
- 470 - Two Person Dinghy Men
- Laser - One Person Dinghy Men
- RS:X - Windsurfer Men
- Star - Keelboat Men
- 470 - Two Person Dinghy Women
- Laser Radial - One Person Ding Women
- RS:X - Windsurfer Women
- Yngling - Keelboat Women
- 49er - Skiff Mixed
- Finn - Heavyweight Dinghy Mixed
- Tornado - Multihull Mixed
EQUIPMENT
Olympic races are sailed in a "fleet racing format" where groups of equally-matched boats race around the same course area at the same time. The boats sail around courses designed to incorporate a variety of different sailing angles: upwind, downwind and reaching. Races are designed to last between 30 and 75 minutes, depending on the event.The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Racing Rules of Sailing are in force for all boats racing.
GOLD, SILVER, AND BRONZE
Scores are awarded according to finishing positions in each race. Each event consists of a ten-race opening series (15 for the 49er), from which each boat can exclude one score. The ten boats with the lowest accumulated scores at the end of the opening series qualify for the Medal Race.The Medal Race is sailed on a shorter course, and points scored are doubled then added to the opening series' scores to decide the top ten positions. Gold, Silver or Bronze medals are awarded to the top three positions.
Due to limits on overall numbers of Olympic athletes, a ruthless selection process allows only one individual (or team in a class) to represent their country in each class.
Read more about Olympic Swimming Rules and Scoring.
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