 |
|
|
Wind Surfing
Jet Skiing
Water Skiiing
|
There are many kinds of sailing competitions involving different classes of boats, on different oceans and under different weather conditions.
There are 3 general categories of sailing competitions, which are regattas on Olympic-type courses, ocean races and match or head-to-head. Although boats and courses differ, the objective of finishing ahead of the competition is the same in all these categories. Races are open to men and women, except for specific categories in the Olympics. There are 9 classes of boats in the Olympics, and races take place on triangular courses, the length being determined by various factors including the stretch of water used, the prevailing wind direction, weather conditions and the number of sailboats competing. The course is marked by buoys which must be passed in a given sequence. Buoys are spaced according to the type of boat in the competition.
Equipment
All boats must have safety equipment including flares of different colours, distress beacons emitting signals which can be traced by satellites, buoys, life jackets, and in some cases an inflatable life raft. Additionally, safety harnesses, gloves, trapeze, waterproofs, isothermal pants and non-slip boots would usually be carried.
History
In the 4th century BC, the Egyptians used the power of the wind to propel their papyrus rafts on the Nile. Polynesians used outriggers to make their dugout canoes with sails to go faster, which are the ancestors of the multihull boats of today. The Romans, Greeks and Chinese, followed later by the Spanish, French and English, all improved the capabilities of sailboats. The first regatta took place in England between boats belonging to the Duke of York and Charles II in 1660. The Hundred Guineas Cup first raced in 1851 was won by an American boat, which was the start the now famous America’s Cup. Sailing has been an Olympic event since 1896. Competitions are organised and governed by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF). |
View all headlines