Sports

Sailing, previously known as Yachting, developed as a sport from an ancient means of transport over water. It is thought to have begun in the Netherlands, with the word ‘yacht’ based on the Dutch word ‘jaght’, meaning ‘light shipping or naval craft’.

The sport was brought to England by King Charles II, who discovered it during his exile in the Netherlands in the mid-16th century.

International competition started in 1851 when an American crew sailed across the Atlantic to take part in a race around the Isle of Wight.

The event was re-named the America’s Cup, which remains the most prestigious competition in Sailing today.

The sport of Sailing at the Olympic Games now includes windsurfing and yachts of all sizes and shapes.

List of events

• men

  1. HANDED DINGHY OPTIMIST

  2. LASER

  3. MISTRAL HEAVY

  4. MISTRAL LIGHT

  5. OPTIMIST

  6. LASER STANDARD

  7. RSX-WINDSURFER

  8. INT 470-TWO PERSON

  9. 49ER-SKIFF

  10. DOUBLE HANDED DINGHY 420

  11. 470 DINGHY

  12. FOIL

  13. LASER RADIAL

  14. DOUBLE HANDED DINGHY 470

  15. RS:X

  16. MISTRAL

• women

  1. 49ERFX

  2. DOUBLE HANDED DINGHY 420

  3. DOUBLE HANDED DINGHY 470

  4. RS:X

  5. MISTRAL

  6. SINGLE HANDED DINGHY OPTIMIST

  7. BOARD

  8. LASER RADIAL - ONE PERSON DINGHY

  9. OPTIMIST

  10. LASER RADIAL

  11. RSX-WINDSURFER

  12. INT 470-TWO PERSON

  13. 49ER-SKIFF

  14. FOIL

  15. 470 DINGHY

• boys

  1. BIC TECHNO 293

  2. BYTE CII

  3. NATION'S TROPHY

• girls

  1. BYTE CII

  2. BIC TECHNO 293

• mixed

  1. LASER 4.7

  2. KITE MIXED TEAM

  3. NACRA 17 MIXED DOUBLES

  4. KEELBOAT

  5. RS 1 MIXED RACING