Please select your home edition
Edition
Zhik 2024 December

World Sailing unveils Steering the Course, a groundbreaking plan to champion gender equity

by World Sailing 29 May 2024 09:54 PDT
World Sailing unveils Steering the Course © Sailing Energy / World Sailing

World Sailing, the global governing body for the sport of sailing, is proud to announce the launch of Steering the Course, its pioneering plan to encourage more women to participate in every part of the sport.

With just 60 days to go to Paris 2024 - which is set to make history as the first #GenderEqualOlympics with full male and female parity on the field of play - Steering the Course, World Sailing's plan to support women in sailing, reaffirms the federation's global commitment to fostering inclusivity, accessibility and equity at every level of sailing.

Steering the Course outlines a vision for how the sport will look by 2032 and encompasses a wide range of initiatives and objectives across seven priority areas - Coaches, Instructors and Team Leaders; Race Officials; Participation; Para Inclusive Sailing; Events; Media, and Governance.

Between now and 2028, World Sailing aims to:

  • Achieve a target of 30% for women registered as coaches and support staff at the World Sailing Championships in 2026/27 (up from 18% at The Hague 2023).
  • Reach 35% women registered as coaches or team leaders at the 2026 Youth Sailing World Championships (up from 18% at Buzios 2023).
  • Secure 50% women attending World Sailing Technical Courses for Coaches during the 2025-2028 quadrennial (currently 42%).
  • Attain 50% representation for female race officials at the 2026/27 World Sailing Championships and at the LA28 Olympic Games, as well as as well as achieving 25% of registered women International Race Officials.

David Graham, World Sailing Chief Executive Officer, said, "Steering the Course, World Sailing's plan to support women in sailing, marks a significant milestone in the organisation's ongoing efforts to promote diversity and empowerment across all aspects of the sport.

"Launching this plan in the countdown to the Olympics holds particular significance, as attention turns to our athletes competing at what will be the largest, gender equal sporting event in the world."

Paris 2024 will also be the first Olympic Games where two of the three Chief roles in the sailing events will be held by female officials.

"By championing gender equity and inclusivity, World Sailing aims to not only enhance the Olympic experience for all participants but also to point the way for a brighter, more diverse future for the whole sport and inspire lasting change for this and future generations throughout the sailing community and beyond," underlined Graham.

Fiona Kidd, World Sailing Head of International Development, added, "Steering the Course, World Sailing's plan to support women in sailing, embodies our unwavering dedication to promoting gender equity, accessibility, and empowerment within our sport. With a firm belief that gender should never be a barrier to participation or success, this plan aims to break down existing barriers and create a more inclusive environment where women and girls can thrive and excel."

Cat Duncan, World Sailing Development Manager is founder of the Steering the Course Festival, the federation's annual celebration of women in sailing which since 2021 has given opportunities to women in 45 countries to consider a pathway in sailing.

"We know from talking to women throughout the sailing community that World Sailing has a key role to play in setting the standards for gender equity in the sport," said Duncan.

"Now, Steering the Course - World Sailing's plan to support women in sailing - spells out what we, as the global governing body for the sport, are committed to achieving. However, making the sport more welcoming for more women is not something we can achieve on our own and we hope this document will encourage others in the sport to do similar."

World Sailing is also aiming to support the growth of female Board and Committee members by aiming for 50% female representation within the President and Vice President leadership group, currently at 37.5%, and 40% within World Sailing Committees and Commissions, which is currently at 33% and 35% respectively. These targets will be a key area of focus within the 2025-2028 term for World Sailing elected officials.

All of the targets set by World Sailing align with the recently published World Sailing Olympic Vision strategy and have been guided by the IWG Women & Sport Brighton and Helsinki Declaration, IOC Guidelines on Equality and Inclusion, and UN Women Sport for Generation Equality.

The World Sailing Women in Sailing Strategy is available to view and download on the World Sailing website.

Related Articles

World Sailing Offshore Event Organisers Forum
Forum will be part of World Sailing's Annual Conference in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland, and also online On November 7, 2025, as part of World Sailing's Annual Conference in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland, at 1500hrs UTC to 1800hrs UTC, we will conduct the Offshore Event Organisers Forum. Posted on 6 Oct
World Sailing's Sustainability Sessions Season 3
A new series of 12 webinars focused on sustainability in sailing World Sailing's Sustainability Sessions will return for season three with a new series of 12 webinars focused on sustainability in sailing. Posted on 30 Sep
Fortaleza World Sailing Championships announced
Test event in January 2026, and the real thing in January 2027 World Sailing has confirmed the dates for Fortaleza 2027 World Sailing Championships as 22-30 January 2027, with a Test Event being held one year prior. Posted on 23 Sep
2025 World Sailing Awards judges announced
The winners will be announced at a live award ceremony in Dún Laoghaire World Sailing has named 11 global sports experts to judge this year's World Sailing Awards. The panel, with backgrounds in sailing, sustainability, and maritime industries, will review all entries and select shortlists for each award. Posted on 11 Sep
World Sailing nominated for Sport Positive Awards
Shortlisted in Inspired Inspiration category for the Oria Marine Support Fleet Project World Sailing been shortlisted for three categories in the Sport Positive Awards 2025 in recognition of its role in creating a more sustainable, resilient, equitable, and climate-conscious future for sport. Posted on 8 Aug
Sailing to make Commonwealth Youth Games debut
Racing in Mellieha Bay, Malta in October 2027 Sailing will be part of the sport programme for the eighth edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games to be held in Malta, marking the first time that sailing has been included in the event. Posted on 1 Aug
World Sailing's inaugural Impact Report
Charting a new course for a sustainable future in sport World Sailing, the global governing body for the sport of sailing, today released its first Impact Report, a comprehensive overview of the federation's significant progress in environmental sustainability and social contribution. Posted on 24 Jul
Tristan triumphs to win 2nd eSailing World title
Tristan Péron became eSailing's first double world champion after qualifying for five finals The 2025 eSailing World Championship has concluded with a dramatic final live from Gdynia as part of the Gdynia Sailing Days festival. Posted on 20 Jul
World Sailing Nations Cup to make grand return
After a seven-year hiatus, World Sailing has officially opened the bid process for host cities After a seven-year hiatus, the World Sailing Nations Cup, the ultimate event to crown the world's top match-racing nations, is making its much-anticipated return. Posted on 18 Jul
Nominations open for World Sailing Awards 2025
Presentation to be held at the Royal St. George Yacht Club in Dún Laoghaire on 5th November Many of the sport's biggest names will be in attendance at the World Sailing Awards 2025, held on Wednesday 5 November at a gala ceremony at the Royal St. George Yacht Club in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland. Posted on 16 Jul
RS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERC-Tech 2021 America's Cup 728x90 BOTTOMCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTER