World championships in sailing


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.

Championships

The number of titles is due to the diversity of equipment. Sanctioned World Championships fall into the following categories:

World Sailing - Initiated Championships

World Sailing - Sanctioned World Championships

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.
Class categoryClassTitleDisciplineGenderCategoryYear first
held
Year last
held
FrequencyNoteRef
Centreboard29er29er World ChampionshipFleetOpen-2000presentannually
Centreboard420Open 420 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-19721987annually
Centreboard420420 World ChampionshipFleetMixed &
Men
-1988presentannually
Centreboard420Women's 420 World ChampionshipFleetFemale-1988presentannually
Centreboard420420 Youth World ChampionshipFleetOpenUnder 172016present
Centreboard420420 Team Racing World ChampionshipTeamOpenNationality2015present
Centreboard470470 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-19701984annuallyno longer held
Centreboard470470 World ChampionshipFleetMixed & Male-19852000sannually
Centreboard470Men's 470 World ChampionshipFleetMale-2000spresentannually
Centreboard470Women's 470 World ChampionshipFleetWomen-1985presentannually
Centreboard470470 World Junior ChampionshipFleetMixed & MenJunior1999presentannually
Centreboard470470 World Junior ChampionshipFleetFemaleJunior1999presentannually
Centreboard49er49er World ChampionshipFleetOpen-19972008annuallyno longer held
Centreboard49er49er World ChampionshipFleetMale-2008presentannuallyno longer held
Centreboard49er49er Junior World ChampionshipFleetOpenJuniorpresentannually
Centreboard49er FX49er FX World ChampionshipsFleetFemale-2013presentannually
Centreboard49er FX49er FX Junior World ChampionshipFleetFemaleJunior2014presentannually
Centreboard505505 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-1956presentannually
CentreboardB14B14 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-1998presentannually
CentreboardByteByte World ChampionshipFleetOpen-presentannually
CentreboardByteByte World ChampionshipFleetMake-presentannually
CentreboardByteByte World ChampionshipFleetFemale-presentannually
CentreboardCadetCadet World ChampionshipFleetOpen-1967presentannually
CentreboardContenderContender World ChampionshipFleetOpen-1970presentannually
CentreboardEnterpriseEnterprise World ChampionshipFleetOpen-
CentreboardEuropeEurope World ChampionshipFleetOpen-19661977annuallyno longer held
CentreboardEuropeEurope World ChampionshipFleetMale-1978presentannually
CentreboardEuropeWomen's Europe World ChampionshipFleetFemale-1978presentannually
CentreboardFinnFinn Gold Cup FleetOpen-19562000sannuallyno longer held
CentreboardFinnFinn Gold Cup FleetMen-2000spresentannually
CentreboardFinnFinn Silver Cup FleetOpen?Youth1999presentannually
CentreboardFinnFinn Master World ChampionshipFleetOpenMasters1970presentannually
CentreboardFireballFireball World ChampionshipFleetOpen-presentannually
CentreboardFlying DutchmanFlying Dutchman World ChampionshipFleetOpen-1956presentannually
CentreboardFlying JuniorFlying Junior World ChampionshipFleetOpen-
CentreboardGP14GP14 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-2000spresentvarious
CentreboardInternational 14International 14 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-
CentreboardInternational 14International 14 Team Racing World ChampionshipTeam
Nations
Open-
CentreboardLaserLaser World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-19742000sannuallyno longer held
CentreboardLaserLaser World ChampionshipsFleetMen-2000spresentannually
CentreboardLaserLaser U-21 World ChampionshipsFleetMaleYouth
Under 21
annually
CentreboardLaserLaser Masters Great Grand Master WorldsFleetOpenMasters2013annually
CentreboardLaserLaser Masters Grand Master WorldsFleetOpenMasters2013annually
CentreboardLaserLaser Masters Master WorldsFleetOpenMasters2013annually
CentreboardLaserLaser Masters Apprentice Master WorldsFleetOpenMasters2013annually
CentreboardLaser RadialMen's Laser Radial World ChampionshipsFleetMen-presentannually
CentreboardLaser RadialWomen's Laser Radial World ChampionshipsFleetFemale-1989
CentreboardLaser RadialLaser Radial World U-21 ChampionshipsFleetFemaleYouth
Under 21
presentannually
CentreboardLaser RadialLaser World Youth ChampionshipsFleetMenYouthpresentannually
CentreboardLaser RadialLaser Radial World Youth ChampionshipsFleetFemaleYouthpresentannually
CentreboardLaser RadialLaser Radial Great Grand Masters World ChampionshipFleetOpenMasters2013annually
CentreboardLaser RadialLaser Radial Grand Masters World ChampionshipFleetOpenMasters2013annually
CentreboardLaser RadialLaser Radial Masters World ChampionshipFleetOpenMasters2013annually
CentreboardLaser RadialLaser Radial Apprentice Masters World ChampionshipFleetOpenMasters2013annually
CentreboardLaser 4.7Laser 4.7 World ChampionshipFleetMenYouth2002presentannually
CentreboardLaser 4.7Laser 4.7 World ChampionshipFleetMenYouth
Under 15
2002presentannually
CentreboardLaser 4.7Laser 4.7 World ChampionshipFleetFemaleYouth2002presentannually
CentreboardLaser 4.7Laser 4.7 World ChampionshipFleetFemaleYouth
Under 15
2002presentannually
CentreboardLaser 4.7Laser 4.7 Masters World ChampionshipFleetOpenMasters2002presentannually
CentreboardLaser 2Laser 2 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-1980s2010s
CentreboardLaser VagoLaser Vago World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-never held
CentreboardLightningLightning World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-present
CentreboardMirrorMirror World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-present
CentreboardMothMoth World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-1973presentannually
CentreboardMusto Performance SkiffMusto Performance Skiff World ChampionshipFleetOpen-2007presentvarious
CentreboardOK DinghyOK Dinghy World ChampionshipFleetOpen-1973presentannually
CentreboardO'pen BICO'pen BIC World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-annually
CentreboardOptimistOptimist World ChampionshipFleetOpenYouth1974presentannually
CentreboardOptimistNations Optimist Team World ChampionshipTeam
National
OpenYouthpresentannually
CentreboardRS100RS100 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-presentannually
CentreboardRS500RS500 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-presentannually
CentreboardRS TeraRS Tera World ChampionshipFleetOpen-2008presentannually
CentreboardRS FevaRS Feva World ChampionshipFleetOpen-2008presentannually
CentreboardSnipeOpen Snipe World Championship
FleetOpen-1934presentbi-annually
CentreboardSnipeYouth Snipe World Championship
FleetOpenYouth1973presentbi-annually
CentreboardSnipeMasters Snipe World Championship
FleetOpenMasters1986presentbi-annually
CentreboardSnipeWomen's Snipe World Championship
FleetWomen-1994presentbi-annually
CentreboardSplashSplash World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-2000presentannually
CentreboardSunfishSunfish World ChampionshipFleetOpen-
CentreboardTasarTasar World ChampionshipFleetOpen-
CentreboardTopperTopper World ChampionshipFleetOpen-presentannually
CentreboardVaurienVaurien World ChampionshipFleetOpen-presentannually
CentreboardZoom 8Zoom 8 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-presentannually
29erXX29erXX World ChampionshipFleetWomen-20122013N/Ano longer held
BuzzBuzz World ChampionshipFleetOpen-1990s2000sannuallyno longer held
ISOISO World ChampionshipFleetOpen-1990s2000sannuallyno longer held
Keelboat2.4 Metre2.4 Metre World ChampionshipsFleetOpen1993presentannually
Keelboat2.4m / Norlin Mk3 ODSingle Person Disabled Sailing World ChampionshipFleetOpenDisabledannuallyOriginally run by IFDS
Keelboat5.5 Metre5.5 Metre World ChampionshipFleetOpen-1961presentvarious
Keelboat5.5 Metre5.5 Metre World ChampionshipFleetOpenModernpresentvarious
Keelboat5.5 Metre5.5 Metre World ChampionshipFleetOpenEvolution1961presentvarious
Keelboat5.5 Metre5.5 Metre World ChampionshipFleetOpenClassic1961presentvarious
Keelboat6 Metre6 Metre World ChampionshipFleetOpen-1973presentintermittent
Keelboat8 Metre8 Metre World ChampionshipFleetOpen-1970presentintermittent
Keelboat12 Metre12 Metre World ChampionshipFleetOpen-1979presentvarious
KeelboatAccess 2.3Access 2.3 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-
KeelboatAccess 303Access 303 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-
KeelboatAccess LibertyAccess Liberty World ChampionshipFleetOpen-
KeelboatDragonDragon World ChampionshipFleetOpen-1965presentbi-annually
KeelboatEtchellsEtchells World ChampionshipFleetOpen-
KeelboatFlying 15Flying 15 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-
KeelboatH-boatH-boat World ChampionshipFleetOpen-2000spresent
KeelboatJ/22J/22 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-2000presentannually
KeelboatJ/24J/24 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-1981presentannually
KeelboatJ/70J/70 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-2014presentannually
KeelboatJ/80J/80 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-2001presentannually
KeelboatMelges 20Melges 20 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-2013presentannually
KeelboatMelges 24Melges 24 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-1998presentannually
KeelboatMelges 32Melges 32 World ChampionshipFleetOpenClassification2009presentannually
KeelboatMicroMicro World ChampionshipFleetOpen-2000presentannually
KeelboatMicroMicro World ChampionshipFleetOpenPrototype2000presentannually
KeelboatPlatu 25Platu 25 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-2007presentannually
KeelboatRC44RC44 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-2000spresentannually
KeelboatSB20 SB20 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-2000spresentUnknown
KeelboatSkud 18Two Person Disabled Sailing World ChampionshipFleetMixed &
Women
DisabledannuallyOriginally run by IFDS
KeelboatShark 24Shark 24 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-2000spresentannually
KeelboatSolingSoling World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-1969presentannually
KeelboatSonarSonar World ChampionshipsFleet
KeelboatSonarThree Person Disabled Sailing World ChampionshipFleetOpenDisabledannuallyOriginally run by IFDS
KeelboatStarStar World ChampionshipFleetMen-2000s2012annuallyno longer held
KeelboatStarStar World ChampionshipFleetOpen-1923-2000s
2013 Onwards
presentannually
KeelboatTempestTempest World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-presentannually
KeelboatYnglingYngling World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-annually
KeelboatYnglingWomen's Yngling World ChampionshipsFleetWomen19??2008annuallyno longer held
FleetOpen-19972010no longer held
IODIOD World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-2000s2014annuallyno longer held
Ultimate 20Ultimate 20 World ChampionshipsFleetOpenno longer held
MultihullA-ClassA-ClassFleetOpen-
MultihullDart 18Dart 18FleetOpen-
MultihullFormula 16Formula 16 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-
MultihullFormula 18Formula 18 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-presentannually
MultihullHobie 14Hobie 14 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-
MultihullHobie 16Hobie 16 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-presentvarious
MultihullHobie 16Hobie 16 Youth World ChampionshipFleetOpenYouthpresentvarious
MultihullHobie 16Hobie 16 Women's World ChampionshipFleetWomen-presentvarious
MultihullHobie 16Hobie 16 Masters World ChampionshipFleetOpenMasterspresentvarious
MultihullHobie DragoonHobie DragoonFleetOpen-annually
MultihullHobie TigerHobie TigerFleetOpen-annually
MultihullHobie WildcatHobie WildcatFleetOpen-annually
MultihullM32Nacra 15 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-2017presentannually
MultihullNacra 15Nacra 15 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-2016presentannually
MultihullNacra 17Nacra 17 World ChampionshipsFleetMixed-2013presentannually
MultihullNacra 20Nacra 20 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-2016present
MultihullNacra InfusionNacra F18FleetOpen-
MultihullSL 16SL 16FleetOpen-presentannually
MultihullTopcat K1Topcat K1FleetOpenpresent
MultihullTornadoTornado World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-1968presentannually
MultihullTornadoTornado World ChampionshipsFleetMixed-20102014-no longer held
C Class CatC Class Cat World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-no longer held
Extreme 40Extreme 40 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-no longer held
Nacra InfusionNacra InfusionFleetOpen-no longer held
Viper F16never held
Hobie 17Hobie 17 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-no longer held
Hobie 18Hobie 18 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-no longer held
BoardsFormula ExperienceFormula Experience World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-
BoardsFormula KiteFormula Kite World ChampionshipsCourseMen-
BoardsFormula KiteFormula Kite World ChampionshipsCourseWomen-
BoardsFormula WindsurfingFormula Windsurfing World ChampionshipsFleetOpenYouth2000presentannually
BoardsFormula WindsurfingFormula Windsurfing World ChampionshipsFleetMen-2000presentannually
BoardsFormula WindsurfingFormula Windsurfing World ChampionshipsFleetWomen-2000presentannually
BoardsFormula WindsurfingFormula Windsurfing World ChampionshipsFleetOpenYouth2000presentannually
BoardsFormula WindsurfingFormula Windsurfing World ChampionshipsFleetOpenMastersannually
BoardsFunboardFunboard World ChampionshipsSlalomOpen
BoardsKonaKonaFleet
BoardsMistralMistral World ChampionshipsFleetMen1986
BoardsMistralMistral World ChampionshipsFleetWomen19862006annually
BoardsRaceboardRaceboardFleetOpen
BoardsRaceboardRaceboardFleetMen
BoardsRaceboardRaceboardFleetWomen
BoardsFleetMen-2012presentvarious
BoardsFleetWomen-2012presentvarious
BoardsFleetMenYouth
Under 22
2012presentvarious
BoardsMen's RS:X World ChampionshipsFleetMen-2005presentannually
BoardsWomen RS:X World ChampionshipsFleetWomen-2005presentannually
BoardsFleetMenYouth2005presentannually
BoardsFleetWomenYouth2005presentannually
BoardsTechno 293Techno 293 World ChampionshipsFleetMen-
BoardsTechno 293Techno 293 World ChampionshipsFleetMenYouth
Under 17
2006presentannually
BoardsTechno 293Under 17 Techno 293 WorldsFleetMenYouth
Under 15
2006presentannually
BoardsTechno 293Under 15 Techno 293 WorldsFleetWomen-
BoardsTechno 293Women Under 17 Techno 293 WorldsFleetWomenYouth
Under 17
2006presentannually
BoardsTechno 293Women Under 15 Techno 293 WorldsFleetWomenYouth
Under 15
2006presentannually
Mistral JuniorMistral Junior World ChampionshipsFleetOpenYouthno longer held
AlohaAloha World ChampionshipsFleetOpenYouth1990s2000sannuallyno longer held
Division IDivision I World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-no longer held
Division IIDivision II World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-no longer held
Division IIIDivision III World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-no longer held
Formula 42Formula 42 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-no longer held
Lechner A-390Lechner A-390 World ChampionshipsFleetMen19891992no longer held
Lechner A-390Lechner A-390 World ChampionshipsFleetWomen19891992no longer held
YachtsClass 40Class 40 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-2009presentvarious
YachtsFarr 30 Farr 30 World ChampionshipsFleetOpenSailor
Classification
1998presentannually
YachtsFarr 40Farr 40 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-
YachtsIMOCA 60IMOCA 60 World ChampionshipsSeriesOpen-present
YachtsJ/111J/111 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-2014presentannually
YachtsMini MaxiIMA / Min Maxi World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-2000s2014annually
YachtsMaxi 72IMA / Maxi 72 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-2015presentannually
YachtsSoto 40Soto 40 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-2013presentannually
YachtsSwan 45Swan 45 World ChampionshipsFleetOpenSailor
Classification
2006presentannually
YachtsSwan 60Swan 60 World ChampionshipsFleetOpenSailor
Classification
2013presentannually
YachtsTP 52TP 52 World ChampionshipFleetOpen-2008presentannually
YachtsX-35X-35 World ChampionshipsFleetOpenSailor
Classification
2007presentannually
YachtsX-41X-41 World ChampionshipsFleetOpenSailor
Classification
2009presentannually
YachtsORCiORCi World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-annually
Farr 45 Corel 45 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-no longer held
Farr Maxi One DesignMaxi One Design WorldFleetOpen-no longer held
Mumm 36Mumm 36 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-1990s1990sno longer held
ORMA 60ORMA 60 World ChampionshipsSeriesOpen-1990s2000sannuallyno longer held
Open 50Open 50 World ChampionshipsSeriesOpen-no longer held
Sydney 40Sydney 40 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-1990s2000sno longer held
X-99X-99 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen-19972010annuallyno longer held

Multiple World champions

This is not a complete list but the following are known to have won eight or more World Championship titles.
TitlesNameCountryClassRef-
25Vasco VascottoITAJ/24, TP52, IMS, ORC, Farr 40-
25Antoine AlbeauFRAWindsurfing
16Glenn AshbyAUSA Class, Tornado, GC32 -
15John KosteckiUSASunfish, J/24, Soling, Mumm 36, Farr 40, Soto 40, J/70, Melges 20, TP52 -
13Robert ScheidtBRAYouth Worlds, Laser, Star -
13Paul ElvstrømDEN5.5, 505, Dragon, Finn, Flying Dutchman, Soling, Star, Snipe, Half Ton-
13Terry HutchinsonUSAIMS, J/24, Corel 45, TP 52, Farr 40, RC44 -
13András DomokosHUNFlying Dutchman -
13Szabolcs MajthényiHUNFlying Dutchman -
11Stellan BerlinSWE2.4m Open -
11Ben AinslieGBRLaser Radial, Youth Worlds, Laser, Finn, Match Racing -
11Kristian NergaardNOR5.5 Metre -
10Nick CraigGBREnterprise, OK, B14 -
10Ken ReadUSAJ/24, Etchells, 2019 12 Metre-
10Mathew BelcherAUS420, 470, Etchells -
9Adrian SteadGBRSwan 60 OD, Farr 40, RC44, 2016, TP 52 -
9Christian SchaeferGERTempest -
9Darren BundockAUSFormula 16, Formula 18, Tornado -
9William HardestyUSAMelges 24, Farr 40, WMRT, Melges 20, Etchells, J/70 -
9Jørgen Bojsen-MøllerDENFlying Dutchman -
8Augie DiazUSAYouth Worlds, Snipe, Snipe Masters, Star -
8Brad GibsonGBR
AUS
10 Rater, One Metre, Marblehead -
8Eduardo CorderoVENSunfish -
8Federico MichettiITAMelges 20, Melges 24, Melges 32 2016-
8Graham BantockGBR10 Rater, A Class, One Metre, Marblehead -
8Heiko KroegerGER2.4m Open, Norlin Mk3 Disabled -
8Nick CraigGBROK, Enterprise, B14 -
8James "Skip" BaxterNZLFarr 40, TP52, RC44, ORC/IRC 2018-
8Iordanis Paschalidis
Konstantinos Trigkonis
GRETornado -