US Sailing's Olympic Sailing Breakdown
by US Sailing Team 17 Jul 13:34 UTC
July 13-20, 2024
Olympic Sailing Breakdown © US Sailing Team
Your one-stop-shop for everything you need to stay informed on your Team USA in Marseille!
What we sail
There are 10 classes (class = type of boat / board): Women's & Men's Kiteboarding, 49er, 49erFX, Nacra 17, Mixed 470, Men's & Women's iQFOiL, ILCA 6, ILCA 7 (USA is not competing in the ILCA 7)
When we sail
Sailing at the Paris 2024 Olympics will take place from July 28 through August 8 (with August 9 as a backup day in case of bad weather).
Where we sail
We sail on the Bay of Marseille in the Mediterranean Sea, a "satellite venue," about 500 miles south of Paris. Each class completes their regatta on a "course" outlined using buoys.
This is the third time the Olympics will be held in Paris: first in 1900, then in 1924, and now 2024. In 1900 and 1924, sailing events were held in both the Seine and the English Channel / Atlantic. Marseille was selected for 2024 due to its exceptional sailing conditions, featuring a strong characteristic seasonal breeze, the "Mistral."
How we race
There are four race areas on the Bay of Marseille, all named after cities or geographical features around the area: "Corniche," "Marseille," "Frioul," and "Calanques." Separate race areas allow multiple fleets to compete on the water at the same time. Within each area, the competitors will all race on the same "course" outlined by buoys. Each type of course has a name; the one below and to the right is called an "Inner Trapezoid."
The first boat/board around the buoys and through the finish line is the winner of that race, with multiple races constituting a regatta. The race winner receives one point for that race, second place receives two points, and so on. The boat/board with the fewest overall points at the end of the regatta wins the event.
How we are scored
Sailing operates on a low-points system, like golf. The first boat to cross the finish line gets one point on their results sheet, second boat to cross gets two points, etc. Lowest score at the end of the regatta wins.
How to follow along
Live Broadcast is available every day on NBC's Peacock streaming service. Sign up for "The Medalist" newsletter (if you're receiving this, you're on the media mailing list and will receive them each day- just including this info to share with your audiences), follow along on Facebook and Instagram, head to ussailing.org/olympics for live tracking, and join our Instagram broadcast channel on your mobile phone for text updates.