International Sailing Federation

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The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) is the world governing body for the sport of sailing, particularly yacht, dinghy and windsurfing racing. It is composed of "Member National Authorities" (MNA's) from almost every country in the world. The organisation dates from 1996, when the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU) changed its name to the International Sailing Federation (ISAF). ISAF is in charge of the Olympic Regatta, the sailing events held as part of the Summer Olympics. ISAF also is in charge of publishing the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS, formerly the Racing Rules of Yachting) and editing the document after every Olympic Regatta based on the imput of its MNA's. The RRS, with some modification by the MNA's (called "prescriptions") are followed for the racing of any kind of vessel powered by the wind from remote-controlled sailboats and sailboards to multi-masted vessels, even ice-yachts are included in the scope of the RRS. Another responsibility of the ISAF is to approve new classes of sailboats such as the Flying Junior dinghy or the 12-metre class.

ISAF also certifies the various world championships (e.g. the Team Racing Worlds or the 505 Worlds) and continental champtionships (e.g. 49er North Americans or the Lark 12-Metre Europeans). ISAF also grades every major event according to how prestigious it is.