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 – Sanctioned World Championships

World Sailing Classes – None Fleet Racing

World Sailing Classes – Fleet Racing

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
Dinghy29er29er World ChampionshipFleetOpen2000presentannually
Dinghy420Open 420 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen19721987annually
Dinghy420420 World ChampionshipsFleetMixed &
Men
1988presentannually
Dinghy420Women's 420 World ChampionshipsFleetFemale1988presentannually
Dinghy420420 Youth World ChampionshipFleetOpenUnder 172016present
Dinghy420420 Team Racing World ChampionshipTeamOpenNationality2015present
Centreboard470470 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen19701984annuallyno longer held
Centreboard470470 World ChampionshipsFleetMixed & Male19852000sannually
Centreboard470Men's 470 World ChampionshipFleetMale2000spresentannually
Centreboard470Women's 470 World ChampionshipFleetWomen1985presentannually
Centreboard470470 World Junior ChampionshipFleetMixed & MenJunior1999presentannually
Centreboard470470 World Junior ChampionshipFleetFemaleJunior1999presentannually
Centreboard49er49er World ChampionshipFleetOpen19972008annuallyno longer held
Centreboard49er49er World ChampionshipFleetMale2008presentannually
Centreboard49er49er Junior World ChampionshipFleetOpenJuniorpresentannually
Centreboard49er FX49er FX World ChampionshipsFleetFemale2013presentannually
Centreboard49er FX49er FX Junior World ChampionshipFleetFemaleJunior2014presentannually
Centreboard505505 World ChampionshipFleetOpen1956presentannually
CentreboardB14B14 World ChampionshipFleetOpen1998presentannually
CentreboardByteByte World ChampionshipFleetOpen19992001semi-annuallyno longer held
CentreboardCadetCadet World ChampionshipFleetOpen1967presentannually
CentreboardContenderContender World ChampionshipFleetOpen1970presentannually
CentreboardEnterpriseEnterprise World ChampionshipFleetOpen
CentreboardEuropeEurope World ChampionshipsFleetOpen19661977annuallyno longer held
CentreboardEuropeEurope World ChampionshipsFleetMale1978presentannually
CentreboardEuropeEurope World ChampionshipsFleetFemale1978presentannually
CentreboardFinnFinn Gold Cup FleetOpen19562000sannuallyno longer held
CentreboardFinnFinn Gold Cup FleetMen2000spresentannually
CentreboardFinnFinn Silver Cup FleetOpen?Youth1999presentannually
CentreboardFinnFinn Master World ChampionshipFleetOpenMasters1970presentannually
CentreboardFireballFireball World ChampionshipFleetOpenpresentannually
CentreboardFlying DutchmanFlying Dutchman World ChampionshipFleetOpen1956presentannually
CentreboardFlying JuniorFlying Junior World ChampionshipFleetOpen
CentreboardGP14GP14 World ChampionshipFleetOpen2000spresentvarious
CentreboardInternational 14International 14 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen
CentreboardInternational 14International 14 Team Racing World ChampionshipTeam
Nations
Open
CentreboardLaserLaser World ChampionshipsFleetOpen19742000sannuallyno longer held
CentreboardLaserLaser World ChampionshipsFleetMen2000spresentannually
CentreboardLaserLaser U-21 World ChampionshipsFleetMaleYouth
Under 21
presentannually
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 ChampionshipsFleetMenpresentannually
CentreboardLaser RadialWomen's Laser Radial World ChampionshipsFleetFemale1989
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 ChampionshipFleetOpen1980s2010s
CentreboardLaser VagoLaser Vago World ChampionshipsFleetOpennever held
CentreboardLightningLightning World ChampionshipsFleetOpenpresent
CentreboardMirrorMirror World ChampionshipsFleetOpenpresent
CentreboardMothMoth World ChampionshipsFleetOpen1973presentannually
CentreboardMusto Performance SkiffMusto Performance Skiff World ChampionshipFleetOpen2007presentvarious
CentreboardOK DinghyOK Dinghy World ChampionshipFleetOpen1973presentannually
CentreboardO'pen BICO'pen BIC World ChampionshipsFleetOpenannually
CentreboardOptimistOptimist World ChampionshipFleetOpenYouth1974presentannually
CentreboardOptimistNations Optimist Team World ChampionshipTeam
National
OpenYouthpresentannually
CentreboardRS100RS100 World ChampionshipFleetOpenpresentannually
CentreboardRS500RS500 World ChampionshipFleetOpenpresentannually
CentreboardRS TeraRS Tera (Sports Rig) World ChampionshipFleetOpen2008presentannually
CentreboardRS FevaRS Feva (Pro Rig) World ChampionshipFleetOpen2008presentannually
CentreboardSnipeOpen Snipe World Championship
(Commodore Hub E. Isaacks Trophy)
FleetOpen1934presentbi-annually
CentreboardSnipeYouth Snipe World Championship
(Vieri Lasinio Di Castelvero Trophy)
FleetOpenYouth1973presentbi-annually
CentreboardSnipeMasters Snipe World Championship
(Id Crook Memorial Trophy)
FleetOpenMasters1986presentbi-annually
CentreboardSnipeWomen's Snipe World Championship
(Roy Yamaguchi Memorial Trophy)
FleetWomen1994presentbi-annually
CentreboardSplashSplash World ChampionshipsFleetOpen2000presentannually
CentreboardSunfishSunfish World ChampionshipFleetOpen
CentreboardTasarTasar World ChampionshipFleetOpen
CentreboardTopperTopper World ChampionshipFleetOpenpresentannually
CentreboardVaurienVaurien World ChampionshipFleetOpenpresentannually
CentreboardZoom 8Zoom 8 World ChampionshipFleetOpenpresentannually
29erXX29erXX World ChampionshipFleetWomen20122013N/Ano longer held
BuzzBuzz World ChampionshipFleetOpen1990s2000sannuallyno longer held
ISOISO World ChampionshipFleetOpen1990s2000sannuallyno 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 ChampionshipFleetOpen1961presentvarious
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 ChampionshipFleetOpen1973presentintermittent
Keelboat8 Metre8 Metre World ChampionshipFleetOpen1970presentintermittent
Keelboat12 Metre12 Metre World ChampionshipFleetOpen1979presentvarious
KeelboatAccess 2.3Access 2.3 World ChampionshipFleetOpen
KeelboatAccess 303Access 303 World ChampionshipFleetOpen
KeelboatAccess LibertyAccess Liberty World ChampionshipFleetOpen
KeelboatDragonDragon World ChampionshipFleetOpen1965presentbi-annually
KeelboatEtchellsEtchells World ChampionshipFleetOpen
KeelboatFlying 15Flying 15 World ChampionshipFleetOpen
KeelboatH-boatH-boat World ChampionshipFleetOpen2000spresent
KeelboatJ/22J/22 World ChampionshipFleetOpen2000presentannually
KeelboatJ/24J/24 World ChampionshipFleetOpen1981presentannually
KeelboatJ/70J/70 World ChampionshipFleetOpen2014presentannually
KeelboatJ/80J/80 World ChampionshipFleetOpen2001presentannually
KeelboatMelges 20Melges 20 World ChampionshipFleetOpen2013presentannually
KeelboatMelges 24Melges 24 World ChampionshipFleetOpen1998presentannually
KeelboatMelges 32Melges 32 World ChampionshipFleetOpenClassification2009presentannually
KeelboatMicroMicro World ChampionshipFleetOpen2000presentannually
KeelboatMicroMicro World ChampionshipFleetOpenPrototype2000presentannually
KeelboatPlatu 25Platu 25 World ChampionshipFleetOpen2007presentannually
KeelboatRC44RC44 World ChampionshipFleetOpen2000spresentannually
KeelboatSB20 (Laser SB3)SB20 World ChampionshipFleetOpen2000spresentUnknown
KeelboatSkud 18Two Person Disabled Sailing World ChampionshipFleetMixed &
Women
DisabledannuallyOriginally run by IFDS
KeelboatShark 24Shark 24 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen2000spresentannually
KeelboatSolingSoling World ChampionshipsFleetOpen1969presentannually
KeelboatSonarSonar World ChampionshipsFleet
KeelboatSonarThree Person Disabled Sailing World ChampionshipFleetOpenDisabledannuallyOriginally run by IFDS
KeelboatStarStar World ChampionshipFleetMen2000s2012annuallyno longer held
KeelboatStarStar World ChampionshipFleetOpen1923–2000s
2013 Onwards
presentannually
KeelboatTempestTempest World ChampionshipFleetOpenpresentannually
KeelboatYnglingYngling World ChampionshipsFleetOpen1979presentannually
KeelboatYnglingWomen's Yngling World ChampionshipsFleetWomen20022008annuallyno longer held
11:Metre One Design11 Metre OD World ChampionshipsFleetOpen19972010no longer held
IODIOD World ChampionshipsFleetOpen2000s2014annuallyno longer held
Ultimate 20Ultimate 20 World ChampionshipsFleetOpenno longer held
MultihullA-ClassA-ClassFleetOpen
MultihullDart 18Dart 18FleetOpen
MultihullFormula 16Formula 16 World ChampionshipFleetOpen
MultihullFormula 18Formula 18 World ChampionshipFleetOpenpresentannually
MultihullHobie 14Hobie 14 World ChampionshipFleetOpen
MultihullHobie 16Hobie 16 World ChampionshipFleetOpenpresentvarious
MultihullHobie 16Hobie 16 Youth World ChampionshipFleetOpenYouthpresentvarious
MultihullHobie 16Hobie 16 Women's World ChampionshipFleetWomenpresentvarious
MultihullHobie 16Hobie 16 Masters World ChampionshipFleetOpenMasterspresentvarious
MultihullHobie DragoonHobie DragoonFleetOpenannually
MultihullHobie TigerHobie Tiger World ChampionshipFleetOpenannually
MultihullHobie WildcatHobie Wildcat World ChampionshipFleetOpenannually
MultihullM32Nacra 15 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen2017presentannually
MultihullNacra 15Nacra 15 World ChampionshipFleetOpen2016presentannually
MultihullNacra 17Nacra 17 World ChampionshipFleetMixed2013presentannually
MultihullNacra 20Nacra 20 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen2016present
MultihullNacra InfusionNacra F18FleetOpen
MultihullSL 16SL 16 World ChampionshipFleetOpenpresentannually
MultihullTopcat K1Topcat K1 World ChampionshipFleetOpenpresent
MultihullTornadoTornado World ChampionshipFleetOpen1968presentannually
MultihullTornadoTornado World ChampionshipFleetMixed20102014no longer held
C Class CatC Class Cat World ChampionshipsFleetOpenno longer held
Extreme 40Extreme 40 World ChampionshipsFleetOpenno longer held
Nacra InfusionNacra InfusionFleetOpenno longer held
Viper F16never held
Hobie 17Hobie 17 World ChampionshipFleetOpenno longer held
Hobie 18Hobie 18 World ChampionshipFleetOpenno 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 ChampionshipsFleetMen2000presentannually
BoardsFormula WindsurfingFormula Windsurfing World ChampionshipsFleetWomen2000presentannually
BoardsFormula WindsurfingFormula Windsurfing World ChampionshipsFleetOpenYouth2000presentannually
BoardsFormula WindsurfingFormula Windsurfing World ChampionshipsFleetOpenMastersannually
BoardsFunboardFunboard World ChampionshipsSlalomOpen
BoardsKonaKonaFleet
BoardsMistralMistral World ChampionshipsFleetMen1986
BoardsMistralMistral World ChampionshipsFleetWomen19862006annually
BoardsRaceboardRaceboardFleetOpen
BoardsRaceboardRaceboardFleetMen
BoardsRaceboardRaceboardFleetWomen
BoardsRS:OneRS:One World ChampionshipsFleetMen2012presentvarious
BoardsRS:OneRS:One World ChampionshipsFleetWomen2012presentvarious
BoardsRS:OneRS:One World ChampionshipsFleetMenYouth
Under 22
2012presentvarious
BoardsRS:XMen's RS:X World ChampionshipsFleetMen2005presentannually
BoardsRS:XWomen RS:X World ChampionshipsFleetWomen2005presentannually
BoardsRS:XRS:X Youth World ChampionshipsFleetMenYouth2005presentannually
BoardsRS:XRS:X Youth World ChampionshipsFleetWomenYouth2005presentannually
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 ChampionshipsFleetOpenno longer held
Division IIDivision II World ChampionshipsFleetOpenno longer held
Division IIIDivision III World ChampionshipsFleetOpenno longer held
Formula 42Formula 42 World ChampionshipsFleetOpenno longer held
Lechner A-390Lechner A-390 World ChampionshipsFleetMen19891992no longer held
Lechner A-390Lechner A-390 World ChampionshipsFleetWomen19891992no longer held
YachtsClass 40Class 40 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen2009presentvarious
YachtsFarr 30 (Mumm 30)Farr 30 World ChampionshipsFleetOpenSailor
Classification
1998presentannually
YachtsFarr 40Farr 40 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen
YachtsIMOCA 60IMOCA 60 World ChampionshipsSeriesOpenpresent
YachtsJ/111J/111 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen2014presentannually
YachtsMini MaxiIMA / Min Maxi World ChampionshipsFleetOpen2000s2014annually
YachtsMaxi 72IMA / Maxi 72 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen2015presentannually
YachtsSoto 40Soto 40 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen2013presentannually
YachtsSwan 45Swan 45 World ChampionshipsFleetOpenSailor
Classification
2006presentannually
YachtsSwan 60Swan 60 World ChampionshipsFleetOpenSailor
Classification
2013presentannually
YachtsTP 52TP 52 World ChampionshipFleetOpen2008presentannually
YachtsX-35X-35 World ChampionshipsFleetOpenSailor
Classification
2007presentannually
YachtsX-41X-41 World ChampionshipsFleetOpenSailor
Classification
2009presentannually
YachtsORCiORCi World ChampionshipsFleetOpenannually
Farr 45 (Corel 45)Corel 45 World ChampionshipsFleetOpenno longer held
Farr Maxi One DesignMaxi One Design WorldFleetOpenno longer held
Mumm 36Mumm 36 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen1990s1990sno longer held
ORMA 60ORMA 60 World ChampionshipsSeriesOpen1990s2000sannuallyno longer held
Open 50Open 50 World ChampionshipsSeriesOpenno longer held
Sydney 40Sydney 40 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen1990s2000sno longer held
X-99X-99 World ChampionshipsFleetOpen19972010annuallyno 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
41Bjoern Dunkerbeck7 × 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
25Vasco VascottoItaly