Dinghy racing is a competitive sport using dinghies, which are small boats which may be rowboats, have an outboard motor, or be sailing dinghies. Dinghy racing has affected aspects of the modern sailing dinghy, including hull design, sail materials and sailplan, and techniques such as planing and trapezing.
The Topper is an 11 foot 43 kg (95 lb) sailing dinghy designed by Ian Proctor. The Topper is a one-design boat sailed mostly around the British Isles. It was recognised as a World Sailing Class. The boat is constructed from polypropylene, and is popular as a racing boat or for sail training. The class association (itca) organise racing events, which range from small travellers to major championships. The RYA run squads alongside the events; in these squads young sailors who are given specialist race coaching.
World Sailing (WS) is the world governing body for the sport of sailing recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
The Star is a 6.9 metres (23 ft) one-design racing keelboat for two people designed by Francis Sweisguth in 1910. The Star was an Olympic keelboat class from 1932 through to 2012, the last year keelboats appeared at the Summer Olympics.
The International 2.4mR is a one-person keelboat. The class is a development class governed by the 2.4mR rule. The rule is controlled by World Sailing (ISAF) since it is one of few classes designated as an International class. The class rule is closely related to the 12mR rule that was used in the America's Cup and the shape often resembles the larger sister.
The International 505 is a One-Design high-performance two-person monohull planing sailing dinghy, with spinnaker, utilising a trapeze for the crew.
The International 5.5 Metre class was created to yield a racing keel boat giving a sailing experience similar to that of the International 6 Metre Class, but at a lower cost.
A radio-controlled boat is a boat or ship model controlled remotely with radio control equipment.
The Dragon is a one-design keelboat designed by Norwegian Johan Anker in 1929. In 1948 the Dragon became an Olympic Class, a status it retained until the Munich Olympics in 1972. The Dragon's long keel and elegant metre-boat lines remain unchanged, but today Dragons are constructed using the latest technology to make the boat durable and easy to maintain. GRP construction was introduced in 1973 and the rigging has been regularly updated.
The Farr 40 is a 40-foot one-design sailboat designed by Farr Yacht Design in 1996 following after the Mumm 30. It was originally designed as a one design class but had some compromises in design to rate under the International Measurement System (IMS) rule. The class has held World Sailing class status since 1997.
The International Kiteboarding Association (IKA), is the only kiteboarding class inside the International Sailing Federation (ISAF). The IKA class rules fall in the category of a development class.
The International Radio Sailing Association (IRSA) formerly the ISAF Radio Sailing Division is an affiliate member of the International Sailing Federation that sanctions radio-controlled sailing competitions. It is authorised by ISAF to conduct up to three official World Championships each year.
The Transpac 52 (TP52) is a class of yacht used for competitive 52 Super Series yacht racing, and the Audi MedCup previously, besides the world championship of the class. The class is recognised by the International Sailing Federation which entitles the class to hold an Official World Championships.
The International Marblehead is a class of radio controlled sailing yacht used for competitive racing. It is a measurement controlled class administered by the International Radio Sailing Association.
The International 10 Rater (10R) is a class of radio controlled sailing yacht used for competitive racing. It is a measurement controlled classes administered by the International Radio Sailing Association. The class is a designated IRSA International class entitled to hold World Championships officially recognised by the World Sailing. A 10 rater is the longest and tallest of all the international classes and has rules that allow the most scope for development.
The International Radio A Class (RA) is a class of radio controlled sailing yacht used for competitive racing. It is a measurement controlled classes administered by the International Radio Sailing Association. The class is a designated IRSA International class entitled to hold World Championships officially recognised by the International Sailing Federation. A RA class of boat is a classic looking boat similar to that of the full sized metre class. The RA class rules are loosely based on the 5.5 Metre. Modern boats use the latest carbon fibre technology with displacements typically between 13 – 16 kg, making them substantial yachts.
The ISAF Team Racing World Championship is a team racing event now held every two years by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF). The first Team Racing World Championships were held in West Kirby, Great Britain in 1995. Great Britain won and so became the first nation to record its name on the ISAF Team Racing World Trophy, donated to ISAF by the West Kirby Sailing Club. A youth Championship began running in parallel with the main event since 2005. Summary information on the first three events is tabled below - full information will be found on the Team Racing Championships results page of the ISAF website. The appearance of West Kirby as the first championship host club reflects the Club's pivotal role in promoting team racing – fostered by the activities of the Oxford & Cambridge Sailing Society.
World championships in sailing are world championships organised or sanctioned by World Sailing. As a sport, sailing has the largest number of world championships due to the diversity of equipment and disciplines.
The 6 Metre World Cup are biennial international sailing regattas in the 6 Metre class organized by the International Six Metre Association.
