World championships in sailing are world championships organised or sanctioned by World Sailing (formerly the International Sailing Federation or ISAF). As a sport, sailing has the largest number of world championships due to the diversity of equipment and disciplines.
The number of titles is due to the diversity of equipment. Sanctioned World Championships fall into the following categories:
Championship | Event | Held | Current holder | Editions | Frequency | Ref | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Male/Female/Mixed | 2003– | Champions in ten disciplines | 4 | Every 4 years | |||
Youth Male/Female/Open | 1971– | Champions in nine disciplines | 47 | Annual | |||
Open | 1995– | (2015) | 11 | Variable | |||
Open | 2004– | no longer held | 4 | ||||
Female | 1999– | MacGregor, Frost, Watkins, Stanley & Lawrence (2017) | 19 | Annual | [1] | ||
Youth | 2014– | Price, Williams & Blanc-Ramos (2017) | 4 | [2] | |||
Variable | Champions in three disciplines | Annual | |||||
Female | 1978 to 1992 | no longer held | Annual | ||||
Open | 2018 Onwards | Annual | |||||
Mixed Two Person Offshore Keelboat World Championship | Male & Female Pair | 2020 Onwards | |||||
Class Committee Keelboat World Championship | Open | 2020 Onwards |
Classes that are members of World Sailing are entitled to hold World Championships if they are spread into a minimum of two continents and have certain number of nations and continents take part in two of the last three championships (the number of nations depend of the size of the equipment).[3]
width=3em | Class category | width=3em | Class | Title | width=3em | Discipline | width=3em | Gender | width=3em | Category | width=2em | Year first held | width=2em | Year last held | width=2em | Frequency | width=5em | Note | width=2em | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dinghy | Fleet | Open | – | 2000 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Dinghy | Fleet | Open | – | 1972 | 1987 | annually | ||||||||||||||
Fleet | Mixed &<br />Men | – | 1988 | present | annually | [4] | ||||||||||||||
Fleet | Female | – | 1988 | present | annually | |||||||||||||||
Fleet | Open | Under 17 | 2016 | present | ||||||||||||||||
Team | Open | Nationality | 2015 | present | ||||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | 1970 | 1984 | annually | no longer held | |||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Mixed & Male | – | 1985 | 2000s | annually | ||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Male | – | 2000s | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Women | – | 1985 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Mixed & Men | Junior | 1999 | present | annually | [5] | |||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Female | Junior | 1999 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | 1997 | 2008 | annually | no longer held | |||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Male | – | 2008 | present | annually | no longer held | |||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | Junior | present | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Female | – | 2013 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Female | Junior | 2014 | present | annually | [6] | |||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | 1956 | present | annually | [7] | |||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | 1998 | present | annually | [8] | |||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | present | annually | [9] | ||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Make | – | present | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Female | – | present | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | 1967 | present | annually | [10] | |||||||||||||
Centreboard | Contender | Fleet | Open | – | 1970 | present | annually | [11] | ||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | [12] | ||||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | 1966 | 1977 | annually | no longer held | |||||||||||||
Fleet | Male | – | 1978 | present | annually | |||||||||||||||
Fleet | Female | – | 1978 | present | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Finn Gold Cup (Worlds) | Fleet | Open | – | 1956 | 2000s | annually | no longer held | ||||||||||||
Finn Gold Cup (Worlds) | Fleet | Men | – | 2000s | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Finn Silver Cup (Worlds) | Fleet | Open? | Youth | 1999 | present | annually | [13] | |||||||||||||
Fleet | Open | Masters | 1970 | present | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | present | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | 1956 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | [14] | ||||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | 2000s | present | various | [15] | |||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | [16] | ||||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Team Nations | Open | – | |||||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | 1974 | 2000s | annually | no longer held | [17] | ||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Men | – | 2000s | present | annually | [18] | |||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Male | Youth Under 21 | annually | [19] | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | Masters | 2013 | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | Masters | 2013 | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | Masters | 2013 | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | Masters | 2013 | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Men | – | present | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Female | – | 1989 | [20] | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Female | Youth Under 21 | present | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Men | Youth | present | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Female | Youth | present | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | Masters | 2013 | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | Masters | 2013 | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | Masters | 2013 | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | Masters | 2013 | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Men | Youth | 2002 | present | annually | [21] | |||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Men | Youth Under 15 | 2002 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Female | Youth | 2002 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Female | Youth Under 15 | 2002 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | Masters | 2002 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | 1980s | 2010s | [22] | ||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | never held | ||||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | present | [23] | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | present | [24] | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | 1973 | present | annually | [25] | |||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | 2007 | present | various | [26] | |||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | 1973 | present | annually | [27] | |||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | annually | ||||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | Youth | 1974 | present | annually | [28] | |||||||||||||
Centreboard | Team National | Open | Youth | present | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | present | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | present | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | 2008 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | 2008 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | 1934 | present | bi-annually | [29] | |||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | Youth | 1973 | present | bi-annually | [30] | |||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | Masters | 1986 | present | bi-annually | [31] | |||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Women | – | 1994 | present | bi-annually | [32] | |||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | 2000 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | |||||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | [33] | ||||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | present | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | present | annually | |||||||||||||||
Centreboard | Fleet | Open | – | present | annually | |||||||||||||||
(Centreboard) | Fleet | Women | – | 2012 | 2013 | N/A | no longer held | [34] | ||||||||||||
(Centreboard) | Fleet | Open | – | 1990s | 2000s | annually | no longer held | |||||||||||||
(Centreboard) | Fleet | Open | – | 1990s | 2000s | annually | no longer held | |||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | 1993 | present | annually | [35] | ||||||||||||||
Keelboat | 2.4m / Norlin Mk3 OD | Single Person Disabled Sailing World Championship | Fleet | Open | Disabled | annually | ||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | 1961 | present | various | ||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | Modern | present | various | |||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | Evolution | 1961 | present | various | ||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | Classic | 1961 | present | various | ||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | 1973 | present | intermittent | ||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | 1970 | present | intermittent | [36] | |||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | 1979 | present | various | ||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | [37] | ||||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | [38] | ||||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | [39] | ||||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | 1965 | present | bi-annually | ||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | [40] | ||||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | [41] | ||||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | 2000s | present | |||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | 2000 | present | annually | [42] | |||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | 1981 | present | annually | [43] | |||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | 2014 | present | annually | [44] | |||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | 2001 | present | annually | [45] | |||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | 2013 | present | annually | [46] | |||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | 1998 | present | annually | [47] | |||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | Classification | 2009 | present | annually | [48] | |||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | 2000 | present | annually | [49] | |||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | Prototype | 2000 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | 2007 | present | annually | [50] | |||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | 2000s | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | 2000s | present | Unknown | [51] | |||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Mixed & Women | Disabled | annually | ||||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | 2000s | present | annually | [52] | |||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | 1969 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | |||||||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | Disabled | annually | ||||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Men | – | 2000s | 2012 | annually | no longer held | |||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | 1923–2000s 2013 Onwards | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | present | annually | |||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Open | – | annually | [53] | |||||||||||||||
Keelboat | Fleet | Women | 19?? | 2008 | annually | no longer held | ||||||||||||||
(Keelboat) | Fleet | Open | – | 1997 | 2010 | no longer held | ||||||||||||||
(Keelboat) | Fleet | Open | – | 2000s | 2014 | annually | no longer held | |||||||||||||
(Keelboat) | Fleet | Open | no longer held | |||||||||||||||||
Multihull | Fleet | Open | – | |||||||||||||||||
Multihull | Fleet | Open | – | |||||||||||||||||
Multihull | Fleet | Open | – | |||||||||||||||||
Multihull | Fleet | Open | – | present | annually | |||||||||||||||
Multihull | Fleet | Open | – | |||||||||||||||||
Multihull | Fleet | Open | – | present | various | |||||||||||||||
Multihull | Fleet | Open | Youth | present | various | |||||||||||||||
Multihull | Fleet | Women | – | present | various | |||||||||||||||
Multihull | Fleet | Open | Masters | present | various | |||||||||||||||
Multihull | Fleet | Open | – | annually | ||||||||||||||||
Multihull | Fleet | Open | – | annually | ||||||||||||||||
Multihull | Fleet | Open | – | annually | ||||||||||||||||
Multihull | Fleet | Open | – | 2017 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Multihull | Fleet | Open | – | 2016 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Multihull | Fleet | Mixed | – | 2013 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Multihull | Fleet | Open | – | 2016 | present | |||||||||||||||
Multihull | Nacra F18 | Fleet | Open | – | ||||||||||||||||
Multihull | Fleet | Open | – | present | annually | |||||||||||||||
Multihull | Fleet | Open | present | |||||||||||||||||
Multihull | Fleet | Open | – | 1968 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Multihull | Fleet | Mixed | – | 2010 | 2014 | – | no longer held | |||||||||||||
(Multihull) | Fleet | Open | – | no longer held | ||||||||||||||||
(Multihull) | Fleet | Open | – | no longer held | ||||||||||||||||
(Multihull) | Nacra Infusion | Fleet | Open | – | no longer held | |||||||||||||||
(Multihull) | never held | |||||||||||||||||||
(Multihull) | Fleet | Open | – | no longer held | ||||||||||||||||
(Multihull) | Fleet | Open | – | no longer held | ||||||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Open | – | [54] | ||||||||||||||||
Boards | Course | Men | – | [55] | ||||||||||||||||
Boards | Course | Women | – | |||||||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Open | Youth | 2000 | present | annually | [56] | |||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Men | – | 2000 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Women | – | 2000 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Open | Youth | 2000 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Open | Masters | annually | ||||||||||||||||
Boards | Slalom | Open | [57] | |||||||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | [58] | ||||||||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Men | 1986 | [59] | ||||||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Women | 1986 | 2006 | annually | [60] | ||||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Open | [61] | |||||||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Men | ||||||||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Women | ||||||||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Men | – | 2012 | present | various | [62] | |||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Women | – | 2012 | present | various | ||||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Men | Youth Under 22 | 2012 | present | various | ||||||||||||||
Boards | Men's | Fleet | Men | – | 2005 | present | annually | |||||||||||||
Boards | Women | Fleet | Women | – | 2005 | present | annually | |||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Men | Youth | 2005 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Women | Youth | 2005 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Men | – | [63] | ||||||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Men | Youth Under 17 | 2006 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Men | Youth Under 15 | 2006 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Women | – | |||||||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Women | Youth Under 17 | 2006 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Boards | Fleet | Women | Youth Under 15 | 2006 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
(Boards) | Mistral Junior World Championships | Fleet | Open | Youth | no longer held | |||||||||||||||
(Boards) | Fleet | Open | Youth | 1990s | 2000s | annually | no longer held | |||||||||||||
(Boards) | Fleet | Open | – | no longer held | ||||||||||||||||
(Boards) | Fleet | Open | – | no longer held | ||||||||||||||||
(Boards) | Fleet | Open | – | no longer held | ||||||||||||||||
(Boards) | Fleet | Open | – | no longer held | ||||||||||||||||
(Boards) | Fleet | Men | 1989 | 1992 | no longer held | [64] | ||||||||||||||
(Boards) | Fleet | Women | 1989 | 1992 | no longer held | [65] | ||||||||||||||
Yachts | Fleet | Open | – | 2009 | present | various | [66] | |||||||||||||
Yachts | Fleet | Open | Sailor Classification | 1998 | present | annually | [67] | |||||||||||||
Yachts | Fleet | Open | – | [68] | ||||||||||||||||
Yachts | Series | Open | – | present | ||||||||||||||||
Yachts | Fleet | Open | – | 2014 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Yachts | Fleet | Open | – | 2000s | 2014 | annually | ||||||||||||||
Yachts | Fleet | Open | – | 2015 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Yachts | Fleet | Open | – | 2013 | present | annually | ||||||||||||||
Yachts | Fleet | Open | Sailor Classification | 2006 | present | annually | [69] | |||||||||||||
Yachts | Fleet | Open | Sailor Classification | 2013 | present | annually | [70] | |||||||||||||
Yachts | Fleet | Open | – | 2008 | present | annually | [71] | |||||||||||||
Yachts | Fleet | Open | Sailor Classification | 2007 | present | annually | [72] | |||||||||||||
Yachts | Fleet | Open | Sailor Classification | 2009 | present | annually | [73] | |||||||||||||
Yachts | ORCi | ORCi World Championships | Fleet | Open | – | annually | ||||||||||||||
(Yacht) | Fleet | Open | – | no longer held | ||||||||||||||||
(Yacht) | Fleet | Open | – | no longer held | ||||||||||||||||
(Yacht) | Fleet | Open | – | 1990s | 1990s | no longer held | ||||||||||||||
(Yacht) | Series | Open | – | 1990s | 2000s | annually | no longer held | |||||||||||||
(Yacht) | Series | Open | – | no longer held | ||||||||||||||||
(Yacht) | Fleet | Open | – | 1990s | 2000s | no longer held | ||||||||||||||
(Yacht) | Fleet | Open | – | 1997 | 2010 | annually | no longer held |
This is not a complete list but the following are known to have won eight or more World Championship titles.
Titles | Name | Country | Class(es) | Ref | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
41 | 7 × PWA Wave World Champion 1990, 1992–1995, 1999, 2001 12 × PWA Overall World Champion 1988–1999 5 × PWA Course Racing World Champion 1990–1994 5 × PWA Racing World Champion 1995–1999 9 × PWA Slalom World Champion 1988–1994, 2005, 2011 1 × PWA Freestyle World Champion 1998 2 × ISA Speed World Champion 1994, 2005 1 × ISWC Speed World Champion 2016 | [74] | |||
25 | [75] [76] | ||||
25 | Windsurfing | ||||
16 | A Class (1996, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, F18 (2004, 2005, 2007), Tornado (2006, 2008, 2009), GC32 (2018) | [77] | |||
16 | [78] | ||||
14 | [79] | ||||
13 | [80] | ||||
13 | 5.5 (1967), 505 (1957, 1959), Dragon, Finn (1958, 1959), Flying Dutchman (1962), Soling (1969, 1974), Star (1966, 1967), Snipe (1959), Half Ton (1972, 1981) | [81] | |||
13 | Youth Worlds (1991), Laser (1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2013), Star (2007, 2011, 2012) | [82] | |||
13 | Flying Dutchman (1994, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019) | [83] | |||
11 | Laser Radial (1993), Youth Worlds (1995), Laser (1998, 1999), Finn (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2012), Match Racing (2010) | [84] | |||
11 | |||||
11 | |||||
11 | WMRT (2011, 2012), Farr 40 (2012), Melges 20 (2013, 2015), Melges 24 (1999, 2007), Etchells (2008, 2011, 2014), J/70 (2015) | ||||
11 | |||||
11 | Melges 20 (2010,2012), Melges 24 (2000,2008,2010,2011,2013), Melges 32 (2016), ClubSwan 50 | ||||
10 | Formula 16 (2011), Formula 18 (2005, 2007, 2019), Tornado (1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2008) | [85] | |||
10 | [86] | ||||
10 | J/24 (1985, 1986, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994), Etchells (2003), 12 Metre (2019) | [87] | |||
10 | 420 (2000), 470 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019), Etchells (2018) | [88] | |||
10 | Enterprise (4 times), OK (5 times), B14 (2018) | [89] | |||
10 | H-boat x10 | ||||
9 | Frederik Dahl Hansen | ||||
9 | [90] | ||||
8 | |||||
9 | Soling, J/24 Etchells x7 | ||||
9 | Tempest (1992, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2011) | [91] | |||
9 | Farr 40 (1998, 2007, 2008), RC44 (20??), 2016, TP52 (2010, 2011, 2013), Swan 60 OD (2013) | [92] [93] | |||
9 | |||||
9 | Soto 40 (2014), 6m (2022), ClubSwan 50 (2021), RC44 (2022, 2023), TP52 (2017, 2019, 2023), Maxi 72 (2017) | ||||
8 | WS Youth Worlds (1973), Snipe, Snipe Masters, Star (2016) | [94] | |||
8 | 10 Rater (1999), A Class (2005), One Metre (1994, 1999), Marblehead (1992, 1994, 1996, 1998) | [95] | |||
8 | Farr 40 (2004 2009), TP52 (2008, 2010, 2011), RC44 (2010), ORC/IRC 2018 | ||||
8 | Nick Craig | ||||
8 | Sunfish (1993, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004) | [96] | |||
8 | 2.4m Open, Norlin Mk3 Disabled (2016) | ||||
8 | | 10 Rater (2016,2018), One Metre (2007,2015), Marblehead (2012,2014,2016,2018) | [97] | ||
8 | Star (1981) Tempest (1993) Dragon (2003,2007) H-Boat (1991,1992,1994,2003) | [98] | |||
8 | [99] | ||||
8 | |||||
8 | |||||
8 | Farr 40 2002, J/24 2019, 2023, J/70 2015, 2017, 2021, J/80 2022, Sonar 2022 | ||||
8 |
See main article: world championships.