The Snipe World Championships are international sailing regattas in the Snipe International class organized by the Snipe Class International Racing Association (SCIRA) and the International Sailing Federation (ISAF).[1]
There are four different championships: Open, Juniors, Women's and Masters.
In 1949, the decision was made to hold the championship, that took place every year except during World War II (1943–1944), every two years, and to hold Hemisphere Championships (Europe and Africa championship and Western Hemisphere & Orient Championship) and World Championships in alternate years.[2]
in 1973, a Junior World Championship independent event was created. In 1986 the World Masters Championship and in 1994 the Women's World Championship were added.[3]
See main article: Commodore Hub E. Isaacks and O'Leary Trophies. The Open Snipe World Championship, also known as senior worlds, or just World Championship, where the Commodore Hub E. Isaacks Trophy, O’Leary Trophy and Earl Elms Perpetual Trophy are awarded, is limited to the best national boats under an established quota based on the number of properly registered boat owners submitted to the SCIRA office by each National Secretary on the dues paid members for that year.
The following formula is used ("Registered Boats" must include: owner's name, address, fleet number and hull number to which the member has paid dues upon):
| Average Number of Registered Boats for the past 2 years | Entries | |
| 1–5 | 1 | |
| 6–15 | 2 | |
| 16–30 | 3 | |
| 31–50 | 4 | |
| 51–100 | 5 | |
| 101–200 | 6 | |
| 201–300 | 7 | |
| 300+ | 8 |
Additionally, the following skippers have an automatic entry to the championship that is not included in their home country's quota:
If the total entrants do not meet a total of 80 boats, those unassigned entry slots will be re-allocated to a pool of qualified entrants by SCIRA and the organizing authority.[4]
See main article: Roy Yamaguchi Memorial Trophy. The Women's World Championship, where the Roy Yamaguchi Memorial Trophy is awarded to the winning skipper and her crew, is held every 2 years in even numbered years.[5]
See main article: Vieri Lasinio Di Castelvero Trophy. The Junior World Championship, where the Vieri Lasinio Di Castelvero Trophy is awarded to the winning skipper, is open to contestants under 22 years old (not having their 22nd birthday during the calendar year the regatta is held). It is held every 2 years in odd numbered years. All skippers must be citizens or bonafide residents for at least one year, of the country they represent. Must have 3 countries to conduct a championship. Entries are limited to:[6]
See main article: Id Crook Memorial Trophy. The Masters World Championship, where the Id Crook Memorial Trophy is awarded to the winning skipper and crew, is held every 2 years in even numbered years. It is open to boats where the skipper must be at least 50 years of age in the year of the regatta and the combined age of skipper and crew must be at least 80 years in the year of the regatta.[7]