20 Most Important Sailing Tournaments

Sailing is a thrilling sport with a rich history, featuring numerous prestigious races and regattas across the globe.

Here is an overview of the most important sailing competitions in the world.

Most Important Sailing Tournaments:

World Championships
America’s Cup
Volvo Ocean Race
Vendée Globe
Olympic Sailing Competition
Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
The Transpacific Yacht Race
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race
The Newport Bermuda Race
The Fastnet Race
Extreme Sailing Series
The Solitaire du Figaro
The Transat Jacques Vabre
The Louis Vuitton Cup
Rolex Middle Sea Race
Intercollegiate Sailing Association National Championships
J/70 World Championship
The Governor’s Cup
The Solent Inter-Varsity Sailing Championships
The Star World Championship

#1 World Championships

📍 Location: Varies globally
📅 Established: 1930 (first race)
🔄 Held: Annually

The World Sailing Championships is the most prestigious competition in sailing, featuring a series of events across various classes. Governed by World Sailing, the event showcases world-class talent from across the globe.

It is an opportunity for sailors to vie for world titles, and a key qualification event for the Olympic Games. The event propels the sport forward by bringing together sailors from all levels, fostering international collaboration, and highlighting the continued growth and development of sailing.

#2 America’s Cup

📍 Location: Varies globally
📅 Established: 1851
🔄 Held: Every 4 years

The America’s Cup is the oldest international sailing trophy, with a rich history dating back to 1851. Governed by the America’s Cup Event Authority, it is a competition between yacht clubs, featuring their best teams in a match racing format.

The event draws attention for its innovative boat designs, cutting-edge technologies, and intense races. The New York Yacht Club held an unprecedented winning streak from 1851 to 1983 before being defeated by the Royal Perth Yacht Club’s Australia II. The continued pursuit of the coveted trophy has pushed the boundaries of sailing.

#3 Volvo Ocean Race

📍 Location: Worldwide
📅 Established: 1973
🔄 Held: Roughly every 3 years
👥 Teams: Varies

Originally known as the Whitbread Round the World Race, the Volvo Ocean Race is one of the world’s most demanding team sporting events. Covering around 45,000 nautical miles, the race tests sailors in extreme conditions as they navigate the globe.

The event has evolved since its inception, with crucial developments in sustainability and technology, as well as increased competition and professionalism. Nine editions have been held so far, with the most recent winner being the Dutch-flagged team, Team AkzoNobel, in 2017-18.

#4 Vendée Globe

📍 Location: Starts and ends in France
📅 Established: 1989
🔄 Held: Every 4 years

The Vendée Globe is a non-stop, solo, round-the-world sailing race, held every four years. Pushing sailors to their limits, the race is a grueling test of mental and physical endurance. Conceived by Philippe Jeantot, the race remains unique as the only single-handed, around-the-world race without assistance.

Armel Le Cléac’h holds the current record for the fastest completion of the race, finishing in 74 days, 3 hours, 35 minutes and 46 seconds in 2016-17. The event has gained widespread acclaim for showcasing individuals’ unwavering commitment to their passion for sailing.

#5 Olympic Sailing Competition

📍 Location: Varies (Olympic host city)
📅 Established: 1900
🔄 Held: Every 4 years (Summer Olympics)

Sailing made its Olympic debut in 1900, and since then, has featured in every Summer Olympic Games. Governed by World Sailing, the competition encompasses multiple classes, including dinghy, multihull, keelboat, and windsurfing disciplines.

Medals are awarded to the top three finishers in each class. The competition has evolved over time with equipment updates, race formats, and class changes. Countries such as the United States, Great Britain, and Australia have been dominant forces on the Olympic sailing stage, regularly producing world-class talent and champions.

#6 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

📍 Location: Australia
📅 Established: 1945
🔄 Held: Annually

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, a 628-nautical mile race from Sydney to Hobart, is one of the most challenging and revered offshore races in the sailing world. Sponsored by Rolex since 2002, the race has become an iconic event in Australian sports, attracting competitors from around the world.

Celebrated for its unpredictability and severe weather conditions, the race tests sailors’ skill and resilience. The most successful yacht in the race’s history is “Wild Oats XI,” with nine overall victories.

#7 The Transpacific Yacht Race

📍 Location: USA
📅 Established: 1906
🔄 Held: Biennially

The Transpacific Yacht Race, commonly known as the Transpac, is a long-standing ocean race from California to Hawaii. Spanning over 2,225 nautical miles, the race has been held biennially since 1906. Governed by the Transpacific Yacht Club, the race attracts a diverse range of vessels and sailors.

It is renowned for its thrilling finishes and challenging navigation, often requiring sailors to contend with significant ocean swells, trade winds, and weather systems. The race has further popularized offshore racing in the United States and continues to showcase advancements in sailing technology and design.

#8 The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

📍 Location: Worldwide
📅 Established: 1996
🔄 Held: Every 2 years
👥 Teams: 12 boats (approximately)

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is a biennial sailing event covering 40,000 nautical miles. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston founded the race, aiming to provide amateur sailors with the opportunity to experience the challenges of ocean racing.

Governed by the Clipper Ventures, the race is unique, as each of the teams has a professional skipper, but the crew is made up of paying amateurs. The race has fostered sailing skills among non-professionals and highlighted the sport’s accessibility, inspiring thousands of sailors worldwide.

#9 The Newport Bermuda Race

📍 Location: USA
📅 Established: 1906
🔄 Held: Biennially

The Newport Bermuda Race, also known as “The Thrash to the Onion Patch,” is a 635-nautical mile biennial race from Newport, Rhode Island to Bermuda. Organized by the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, the race combines professional and amateur sailors and navigators.

Known for its challenging Gulf Stream crossing and changing weather conditions, the race is deeply rooted in American sailing tradition. Carleton Mitchell’s yacht “Finisterre” holds the record for winning the race three times consecutively from 1956 to 1960.

#10 The Fastnet Race

📍 Location: England
📅 Established: 1925
🔄 Held: Biennially

The Fastnet Race, organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, is a biennial 605-nautical mile offshore race that starts from Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, and finishes in Plymouth, England, after rounding the Fastnet Rock off the southwest coast of Ireland.

Known for its unpredictable weather and challenging conditions, the race attracts sailors worldwide and is considered a premier event in the offshore racing calendar. The 1979 race was marked by a tragedy, with a severe storm causing the loss of 15 lives, which led to a significant improvement in safety procedures and equipment.

#11 Extreme Sailing Series

📍 Location: Varies globally
📅 Established: 2007
🔄 Held: Annually

The Extreme Sailing Series is an annual global racing series that focuses on inshore stadium racing in high-performance catamarans. The series, governed by the Extreme Sailing Series Management, is designed to bring sailing closer to spectators and provide exciting, fast-paced races in city center locations.

With a mix of professional sailors, Olympic champions, and America’s Cup veterans, the races feature close-quarter duels and thrilling action. The series has significantly raised the profile and excitement factor in professional sailing.

#12 The Solitaire du Figaro

📍 Location: Varies, mainly in France
📅 Established: 1970
🔄 Held: Annually

The Solitaire du Figaro, also known as La Solitaire du Figaro-Eric Bompard Cachemire, is a solo multi-stage sailing race held annually, mainly along the French Atlantic coastline.

The race serves as a proving ground for aspiring solo offshore racers, with sailors like François Gabart and Armel Le Cléac’h among its past winners. The competition focuses on tactics and navigation, pushing sailors to their limits in challenging coastal conditions. The race’s demanding nature has earned it a reputation as one of the most difficult solo offshore events in the sailing world.

#13 The Transat Jacques Vabre

📍 Location: Europe to South America
📅 Established: 1993
🔄 Held: Biennially
👥 Teams: Two sailors per boat

The Transat Jacques Vabre, also known as the Coffee Route, is a biennial double-handed transatlantic sailing race that follows the historic coffee trading route from France to South America.

Inaugurated in 1993, the race is organized in collaboration with the coffee brand Jacques Vabre, and it evolves with each edition, including changing the destination city and the boat classes invited to participate. The race is well-regarded for its unpredictability, mixing seasoned professional sailors and up-and-coming talent, making it a fascinating watch for sailing enthusiasts.

#14 The Louis Vuitton Cup

📍 Location: Varies
📅 Established: 1983
🔄 Held: As required by the America’s Cup Cycle

The Louis Vuitton Cup is a prestigious sailing competition that acts as the selection series to determine the challenger for the America’s Cup. Established in 1983, the series is governed by the America’s Cup Event Authority and sponsored by the luxury brand Louis Vuitton.

The series has evolved over the years, showcasing cutting-edge boat designs and technology. Winners of the Louis Vuitton Cup face the defender of the America’s Cup in the final match, making it a crucial competition for teams aiming to capture the oldest trophy in international sport.

#15 Rolex Middle Sea Race

📍 Location: Malta
📅 Established: 1968
🔄 Held: Annually

The Rolex Middle Sea Race, organized by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, is a 606-nautical mile offshore race that starts and finishes in Malta, with participants circumnavigating Sicily and the surrounding islands. The race, known for its changing weather conditions and tactical challenges, attracts professional and amateur sailors worldwide.

The spectacular backdrop of historic islands and stunning coastlines makes this race a unique experience for participants and spectators alike. Notable winners include the yacht Rambler 88, which set a course record in 2007.

#16 Intercollegiate Sailing Association National Championships

📍 Location: Varies (USA)
📅 Established: 1937
🔄 Held: Annually

The Intercollegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) National Championships, organized by ICSA, consist of several individual championship regattas for college sailors from across the United States. The championships include events for fleet, team, and match racing, as well as singlehanded and women’s disciplines.

The competition plays a pivotal role in fostering sailing talent among college athletes, and many participants have gone on to compete at the Olympic level and in prestigious sailing events worldwide. Teams from top universities, such as Yale, Stanford, and Charleston, have been historically successful in the ICSA National Championships.

#17 J/70 World Championship

📍 Location: Varies globally
📅 Established: 2013
🔄 Held: Annually

The J/70 World Championship is an annual one-design keelboat racing event held in different locations around the world. As a relatively new event, it quickly gained popularity in the sailing community, showcasing the J/70 class—a popular, accessible, and competitive boat.

The event attracts sailors from various skill levels, including top professionals, world champions, and Olympic medalists. The championship has created an environment of fierce competition and camaraderie, with the ultimate goal of promoting the J/70 class and fostering international collaboration.

#18 The Governor’s Cup

📍 Location: California, USA
📅 Established: 1967
🔄 Held: Annually

The Governor’s Cup, also known as “The Gov Cup,” is an international youth match racing championship held at the Balboa Yacht Club in California. The event gathers top youth sailors, aged under 23, from around the world, competing against each other in one-on-one races.

The Governor’s Cup has become an essential training ground for sailors aiming to improve their match racing skills and gain valuable experience, often leading to successful careers in sailing. The event has a rich history, with past winners including notable sailors like four-time winner Nevin Snow.

#19 The Solent Inter-Varsity Sailing Championships

📍 Location: Solent (UK)
📅 Established: 1959
🔄 Held: Annually

The Solent Inter-Varsity Sailing Championships, also known as the “BUSA Finals” or “The Breeze,” is an annual keelboat team racing competition for British university sailing teams held in the Solent, a strait separating mainland England from the Isle of Wight.

Organized by the British Universities Sailing Association (BUSA), the event gathers top university teams to compete for national recognition, fostering the development of British youth sailing talent. The Solent is known for its challenging tide and wind conditions, making it a fantastic training ground for aspiring sailors.

#20 The Star World Championship

📍 Location: Varies globally
📅 Established: 1923
🔄 Held: Annually

The Star World Championship is the premier event for the Star class, a two-person keelboat used for international racing. The annual event, which began in 1923, is hosted by the International Star Class Yacht Racing Association (ISCYRA).

It features world-class competitors from countries around the globe and has propelled the Star class to a high-status racing class in the sailing community. The championship has held host to some of sailing’s greatest legends, such as Paul Cayard, Torben Grael, and Dennis Conner.

The Star class was an Olympic event from 1932 to 2012, further emphasizing the significance of the Star World Championship in the sailing world.