The first quarter of the year marked the start of a new Olympic cycle for World Sailing, though it was accompanied by a tragic loss. The sailing community deeply mourned the passing of World Sailing Vice President Line Markert, along with her partner Andreas and their son. Her contribution to the sport, both in Denmark and internationally, was significant and will be remembered with great respect.
In memory of Markert and her family, World Sailing will continue working to keep the organization as strong and well-directed as it was under her leadership. In this context, it was a proud moment to receive confirmation that sailing will retain its athlete quota and 10-event program for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. This achievement reflects the federation’s efforts to strengthen its relationship with the IOC and the LA28 organizing committee. However, the federation emphasized the importance of continuing to contribute to the Olympic Movement through its strategic vision.
Additionally, key events for this year were announced, including the one-person events of the World Sailing Championships, which will be held in Fortaleza, Brazil, and the Youth Match Racing World Championship, set to take place in Gdynia, Poland.
The SailGP adventure
World Sailing’s special events continue to stand out globally. The spectacular SailGP successfully completed two stages in the United States, in Los Angeles and San Francisco, demonstrating that sailing can be an exciting spectator sport. However, due to a wing failure on the Australian boat, SailGP made the difficult decision to cancel the event in Rio de Janeiro, prioritizing safety.
On the other hand, the World Match Racing Tour will celebrate its 25th season, while the Women’s World Match Racing Tour unveiled a full calendar of events. The first Foiling Week event was also held in Pensacola, highlighting the growth of this discipline.
New initiatives for the development of sailing
Beyond competitions, World Sailing has confirmed the appointments of its new committees, which will play a key role in the development of the sport over the next four years. These committees are composed of experts from diverse areas, committed to supporting the executive team in achieving its strategic goals.
Additionally, the federation launched new training scholarships for sailing coaches, set to begin in September 2025. These scholarships are part of a long-term plan to train more coaches and support sailors worldwide. In the coming weeks, an online learning platform for sailing and officiating will be launched.
