World Sailing

Hull: Must conform to class measurement certificates. Hull shape, weight (including corrector weights), and flotation are verified before the regatta.; Sails: Each class has prescribed sail dimensions and materials. Olympic classes typically allow only event-issued sails (marked and measured) to ...

Key Fact: Hull shape and weight must conform to class measurement certificates verified before regatta.

Personal Flotation Device (PFD): Mandatory at all times while on the water. Minimum buoyancy of 50 N (ISO 12402-5) or per class-specific requirements.; Knife / line cutter: Required to cut rigging in entrapment emergencies.; Whistle: Attached to the PFD for attracting attention.

Trapeze harness: Required in 49er/49erFX and 470 classes. Allows crew to extend body weight outboard for balance.; Helmet: Mandatory for Formula Kite and iQFOiL at certain wind speeds due to foiling speeds.; Impact vest: Recommended for foiling classes where speeds can exceed 30 knots and crashes...

The Race Committee sets the course based on wind direction and strength. Common course configurations include: Windward–Leeward: A simple upwind leg to a weather mark, downwind leg to a leeward gate or mark, repeated. The most common Olympic course format.; Trapezoid: Adds reaching legs to the wi...

Racing on open water courses marked by temporary buoys.

Starting line: Set between a Race Committee signal boat (starboard end) and a pin-end mark (port end). The line is typically set 5–15% longer than the fleet width and biased slightly to favor neither end, though perfect neutrality is rare due to shifting wind.; Marks: Large inflatable buoys (typi...

Olympic sailing venues use open water with sufficient depth and area for the fleet. Multiple course areas operate simultaneously for different classes.

Crew sizes vary by class: 1 (singlehanded), 2 (double), 2 (mixed in Nacra 17). Race Committee: Principal Race Officer, course-setting team, mark boats, safety boats.

Singlehanded (ILCA 6, ILCA 7, iQFOiL, Formula Kite): One athlete per boat.; Doublehanded (49er, 49erFX, 470): Two athletes — a helmsperson and a crew.; Mixed (Nacra 17, 470): One male and one female crew member.