The international federation World Sailing has strengthened its gender equality framework in recent years through governance measures and development programmes aimed at ensuring balanced representation in its decision-making bodies and technical structures. The new Constitution of World Sailing, approved at its Annual Conference, establishes a gender-balanced Board and consolidates electoral procedures to guarantee the presence of women in leadership roles, alongside the President and executive positions.
During the World Sailing Annual Conference 2025, held as part of the General Assembly of its Member National Authorities, Sophia Papamichadopoulos OLY (Cyprus), Olympian and founder of the Winds of Change initiative, and Corinne Migraine (France), Vice-Chair of the Oceanic and Offshore Committee, were elected as Vice Presidents. Their election results in a Board configured in accordance with the gender balance established in the recently adopted Constitution.
In recent years, World Sailing has implemented the Steering the Course strategy, which sets progressive targets for the 2025–2028 period regarding women’s representation among technical teams, race officials and support personnel at international competitions. The initiative is part of the federation’s broader objective to expand female participation and leadership at all levels of the sport.
Gender equity strategy and development programmes
In recent years, World Sailing has implemented the Steering the Course strategy, which sets progressive targets for the 2025-2028 period regarding women’s representation among technical teams, race officials and support personnel at international competitions. The objective is to broaden participation and promote female leadership across all levels of the sport.
The Equidade, Diversity and Inclusion policy of World Sailing, developed together with World Sailing Trust, was strengthened following the publication of the Women in Sailing Strategic Review in 2019, which identified barriers to access in coaching, officiating and governance roles. As a result, mentoring initiatives were launched for athletes and coaches, along with recruitment and training activities for race officials through national federations.
Implementation and international activities
The Steering the Course initiative, first introduced in 2021 and established as an annual programme in 2023, organises two coordinated weeks of international activity each year to support women in sailing, officiating, coaching and event management. More than fifty national federations have participated since its launch, developing local actions such as introductory sessions, tactical training workshops and coaching development clinics.
In 2023 and 2024, technical clinics specifically for women were held in Algeria, Egypt and Chinese Taipei, aimed at preparing race officials and coaches in Olympic and youth classes. These clinics form part of the development programme delivered by World Sailing Trust, which also monitors annual data on female participation within national structures and international events to assess progress and identify areas where further work is required.
Annual conference and board renewal
The Conference included meetings of the World Sailing Council, the World Sailing Awards, and sessions of committees and commissions. The event was supported by the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Fáilte Ireland, and Irish Sailing, with the collaboration of the Royal St George Yacht Club, the Royal Irish Yacht Club and the National Yacht Club.
Quanhai Li, President of World Sailing, stated: “My congratulations go to Sophia and Corinne; their election reflects the strength of our institutional framework and the commitment of our organisation to equity in governance.” David Graham, Chief Executive Officer of World Sailing, added: “We have agreed actions relevant to upcoming sporting cycles and strengthened our planning towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and the bid for inclusion at the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games.”
