Sailing

History

Despite boats being part of the history of civilisations for thousands of years, sailing competitions are relatively new. They date back to the 17th century, when a Dutch vessel named ‘jaghtstchip' came about. The Dutch rapidly started to use this new boat for commercial purposes and short internal trips. In addition, it was used to transport goods between neighbouring towns and to train sailors.

Because it was an easy to use and practical vessel, the 'jaghtstchip' drew the attention of King Charles II from England, who at the time was exiled in the Netherlands. When King Charles II could finally return home, after making improvements to the ‘jachtstchip’, he assisted in enhancing other types of vessels. Indeed, he became a driving force behind yachting in England, in addition to staging the first regattas on British waters.

However, the first sailing club to rise to fame is not English. The Royal Cork Yacht Club was founded in 1729 in Ireland. In 1749, the club staged its first big regatta, when vessels sailed from Greenwich to the Nore.  It was not until 50 years later that the Royal Thames Yacht Club was founded. The first international regatta was held in 1851, next to the Isle of Wight and was named the Hundred Guinea Cup.

The arrival of sailing in the United States and the fact that the New York Yacht Club was founded in 1844 drove the development of the sport around the world. In 1907, the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU) was founded. The organisation changed its name to the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and is today the sport's governing body.

Sailing arrived in Brazil at the end of the 19th century, brought over by Europeans. In 1906, the Brazilian Yacht Club was founded in Rio de Janeiro, the first such club of its kind.  The first national competition was held in 1935 and was called the Marcilio Dias Trophy. In 1941, the Brazilian Sailing and Motor Federation (CBVM) was founded, which controlled the sport at the national level until 2007, when due to high debt, the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) had to intervene. In 2013, the Brazilian Sailing Federation (CBVela) was set up to govern the sport in the country.

Sailing made its Olympic debut at the 1900 Games in Paris.  Since then, several events have come and gone in relation to the Olympic programme.

Curiosities

Delayed debut
Sailing should have been part of the Olympic programme in the first edition of the Games in 1896 in Athens. However, bad weather conditions led to the events being cancelled. Therefore, the sport had to wait until the 1900 Games in Paris before making its debut.

Star is left out
One of the most traditional sailing events at the Olympics, the Star class will not feature at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. In 2011, the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Board decided to exclude it from the Olympics in Rio. Brazil has won six Olympic medals in the Star class: two gold, a silver and three bronze.

See also

Confederação Brasileira de Vela (CBVela)
Site: www.cbvela.org.br
E-mail: cbvela@cbvela.org.br
Federação Internacional de Vela (ISAF): www.sailing.org