Olympic sailing classes

The Olympic sailing classes were used in the sport of Sailing/Yachting during the Olympic Summer Games since 1896. Since then, 46 different classes have been used.

Contents

History

Over a period of more than 112 years, in a sport that uses complex technical equipment, it goes without saying that classes will be discontinued for use at the Olympics. Reasons for discontinuation of a class did vary from economical, logistical and technological to emotional and even political. Some of the discontinued classes remain very strong International - or National classes. Others filled a niche in a specific area like sailing schools or local club racing. Some faded away.

The “Former Olympic Sailing Classes”, together with their crews form an important and significant part of the history of sailing in general and Olympic Sailing in particular. These tables give an overview of the classes and when they were used for Olympic sailing.

Current Olympic Classes

2012 Olympic Classes designs
 
Category Class 1932 1936 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012
Dinghy Finn • • • • • • • • • • • H H H •H H
470 • • • M+F M+F M+F M+F M+F M+F M+F
49er P P P P
Laser M M M M M
Laser Radial F F
Keelboat Star • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • M M M
Elliott 6 F
Sailboard RS:X • • M+F M+F M+F M+F M+F M+F

Discontinued Olympic Classes

Pre-WWII games (1900–1936)

Category Class 1900 1904 1908 1912 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936
Ton classes  ½ Ton •
½–1 Ton •
 1–2 Ton •
 2–3 Ton •
 3–10 Ton •
10–20 Ton •
Open •
Square Meter
Skerry Cruiser classes		 30m2 •
40m2 •
Jauge chemin de fer classes   6.5 Metre •
  8.5 Metre •
Metre classes   6 Metre • • • • • • •
  7 Metre • •
  8 Metre • • • • • •
  9 Metre •
10 Metre • •
12 Metre • • •
15 Metre •
Monotype classes 12’ Dinghy • •
18’ Dinghy •
French National Monotype 1924 •
Snowbird •
O-Jolle •

Post-WWII games (1948—2008)

Category Class 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008
Dinghy Firefly •
12m2 Sharpie •
Flying Dutchman • • • • • • • • •
Europe F F F F
Keelboat 6 Metre •
Swallow •
5.5 Metre • • • • •
Dragon • • • • • • •
Tempest • •
Soling • • • • • C C C
Yngling F F
Multihull Tornado • • • • • • • • •
Sailboard Windglider M
Division II M
Lechner A–390 M+F
Mistral One Design Class M+F M+F M+F

Vintage Yachting Classes

In 2008 a new chapter was created for the former Olympic Classes in the form of the Post-Olympic Vintage Yachting Games.

2012 Vintage Yachting Classes designs
 
Category Class 2008 2012
Dinghy Europe F F
Europe M M
12’ Dinghy VIP •
+
VIP
O-Jolle • •
Flying Dutchman • •
Keelboat Soling • •
Dragon • •
Yngling Of
Tempest  ?
5.5 Metre •

Legend

References

See also

Current Olympic
Vintage Yachting Classes
Former Olympic
1896 • 1900 • 1904 • 1908 • 1912 • 1920 • 1924 • 1928 • 1932 • 1936 • 1948 • 1952 • 1956 • 1960 • 1964 • 1968 • 1972 • 1976 • 1980 • 1984 • 1988 • 1992 • 1996 • 2000 • 2004 • 2008 • 2012