About The Sport
Sailing competition is run in different classes, or types of boats. In any race, only boats of the same class compete against each other.
The classes of boats used in the Olympic Games are single-handed, double-handed or three-person and can be either women’s, men’s or open disciplines. The International Sailing Federation selects the classes for each Olympic Games and the classes do, and have changed over the years.
A new competition format will be used for the first time at the 2008 Olympic Games. For each event the sailing competition will consist of an opening series and a medal race. Eleven races are scheduled for each event except for the 49er class, for which 16 races are scheduled. Of the 11 (16) races, 10 (15) are scheduled as opening series races and one as a Medal Race. For detailed information please click here.