Sailing/Yachting

Sailing

Sailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the boat relative to its surrounding medium and...

is a Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad

Olympiad

An Olympiad is a period of four years, associated with the Olympic Games of Classical Greece. In the Hellenistic period, beginning with Ephorus, Olympiads were used as calendar epoch....

 (1896 Olympics in Athens ). With the exception of 1904

1904 Summer Olympics

The 1904 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the III Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in St. Louis, Missouri, in the United States from 1 July 1904, to November 23, 1904, at what is now known as Francis Field on the campus of Washington University...

 and possible 1916

1916 Summer Olympics

The anticipated 1916 Summer Olympics, which were to be officially known as the Games of the VI Olympiad, were to have been held in Berlin, Germany. However, due to the outbreak of World War I, the games were cancelled.-History:...

 sailing was always a part of the Olympic program.
The Sailing program of 1908 was open for a total of five sailing classes (disciplines). It turned out that no entries were made in the 15 Metre. The planned venue of all races, named matches was Ryde, Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...

.

Venue

At the 1907 The Hague Conference of the IOC Ryde at the Isle of Wight was appointed to host the sailing regattas, for all classes, of the Games of the IV^th Olympiad. However when there were only British entries for the 12 Metre matches, and both yacht were located at the Firth of Clyde, the decision was made to use Hunter’s Quay as a second venue.

At Ryde the race committee used the available shipping buoys as marks for the courses. 16 nm for the 8 Metre and 13 nm for the 6 and 7 Metre.

Overview

Continents	Countries	Classes	Boats	Male	Female
1	5	5	13	64	2

Countries

Classes (equipment)

Although one of the oldest organized sporting activities, sailing in the early first part of the 20th century was not uniformly organized. This had a lot to do with national traditions as well as with the fact that there were no standardized boat types with uniform building instructions and measurements. Also a lot of development was done in the area of boat design and boat building. The shape of a boat, specifically its length, its weight and its sail area, are major parameters that determine the boat's speed. Several initiatives were started to create a formula that made it possible to have boats race each other without having to calculate the final result. But the different countries initially could not agree on an international system. At the Olympics of 1900 it was clear that sailing was not ready for international competition, and something had to be done.

In 1906 international meetings were organize to solve the problem. Finally in Paris, October 1907 the first International Rule was ratified. Delegates from this meeting went on to form the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU), the precursor to the present International Sailing Federation

International Sailing Federation

The International Sailing Federation is recognised by the International Olympic Committee as the world governing body for the sport of sailing....

 (ISAF).

The agreed formula gives a result in meters (Metre). During the meeting in 1907 the IOC made the decision to open the 1908 Summer Olympics

1908 Summer Olympics

The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the IV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in 1908 in London, England, United Kingdom. These games were originally scheduled to be held in Rome. At the time they were the fifth modern Olympic games...

 for the following Metre classes:

Class	Type	Event	Sailors	Trapeze	Mainsail	Jib/Genoa	Spinnaker	First OG	Olympics so far
6 Metre 6 Metre (keelboat) The International Six Metre Class is a class of racing yachts. Six Metre boats are a construction class, meaning that the boats are not identical but are all designed to meet specific measurement formula, in this case International Rule...	Keelboat		3	–	+	+	+	1908	1
7 Metre 7 Metre (keelboat) The International Seven Metre Class is a construction class, meaning that the boats are not identical but are all designed to meet specific measurement formula, in this case International Rule. At their heyday, Metre Classes were the most important group of international yacht racing classes, and...	Keelboat		2	–	+	+	+	1908	1
8 Metre	Keelboat		2	–	+	+	+	1908	1
12 Metre 12-metre class The 12 Metre Class is a rating class for racing boats designed to the International rule. It enables fair competition between boats that rate in the class whilst retaining the freedom to experiment with the details of their designs. The first 12 Metres were built in 1907. The 12 Metre Class was...	Keelboat		2	–	+	+	+	1908	1
15 Metre 15-metre class The International Fifteen Metre Class is a construction class, meaning that the boats are not identical but are all designed to meet specific measurements in a formula, in this case the International Rule. In their heyday, Metre classes were the most important group of international yacht racing...	Keelboat		3	–	+	+	+	1908	1

= Male, = Female, = Open

Medal summary

6 Metre:	Thomas McMeekin Thomas McMeekin Thomas McMeekin was a British sailor and Olympic Champion. He competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London and won a silver medal in the 6 metre class. The gold medal was won by his helmsman G.U.Laws, who had also designed the boat-References:Andrew H.McMeekin... Gilbert Laws Gilbert Laws (sailor) Gilbert Umfreville Laws was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was the helmsman of the British boat Dormy, which won the gold medal in the 6 metre class.-External links:*... Charles Crichton Charles Crichton (sailor) Charles William Harry Crichton was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was a crew member of the British boat Dormy, which won the gold medal in the 6 metre class.-External links:*...	Léon Huybrechts Léon Huybrechts Léon Huybrechts was a Belgian sailor and Olympic champion. He competed at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, where he won a gold medal in the monotype class. He received silver medals in the 6m class in 1908 and 1920.-External links:*... Louis Huybrechts Henri Weewauters Henri Weewauters Henri Weewauters was a Belgian sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics and in the 1920 Summer Olympics. In 1908 he won the silver medal in the 6 metre class with the Belgian boat Zut...	Henri Arthus Louis Potheau Pierre Rabot
7 Metre:	Charles Rivett-Carnac Charles Rivett-Carnac (sailor) Charles James Rivett-Carnac was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.... Frances Rivett-Carnac Frances Rivett-Carnac Frances Clytie Rivett-Carnac née Greenstock was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.She was a crew member of the British boat Heroine, which won the gold medal in the 7 metre class.... Norman Bingley Norman Bingley Norman Bingley was a British sailor and Olympic Champion. He competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London and won a gold medal in the 7 metre class.-References:... Richard Dixon	none awarded	none awarded
8 Metre:	Blair Cochrane Blair Cochrane Blair Onslow Cochrane was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was helmsman of the British boat Cobweb, which won the gold medal in the 8 metre class.-External links:*... Arthur Wood Arthur Wood (sailor) Arthur Nicholas Lindsay Wood was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was a crew member of the British boat Cobweb, which won the gold medal in the 8 metre class.-External links:*... Henry Sutton John Rhodes John Rhodes (sailor) John Edward Rhodes was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was a crew member of the British boat Cobweb, which won the gold medal in the 8 metre class.-External links:*... Charles Campbell Charles Campbell (sailor) Charles Ralph Campbell was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was a crew member of the British boat Cobweb, which won the gold medal in the 8 metre class.-External links:*...	Carl Hellström Carl Hellström Carl Leopold Hellström was a Swedish sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics and in the 1912 Summer Olympics.In 1908 he won a silver medal as crew member of the Swedish Vinga in the 8 metre class.... Edmund Thormählen Edmund Thormählen Edmund Gustaf Thormählen was a Swedish sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was a crew member of the Swedish boat Vinga, which won the silver medal in the 8 metre class.-External links:*... Erik Wallerius Erik Wallerius Erik G. Wallerius was a Swedish sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics and in the 1912 Summer Olympics.In 1908 he won a silver medal as crew member of the Swedish Vinga in the 8 metre class.... Eric Sandberg Eric Sandberg Eric G. Sandberg was a Swedish sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics and in the 1912 Summer Olympics.In 1908 he won a silver medal as crew member of the Swedish Vinga in the 8 metre class.... Harald Wallin Harald Wallin Johan Harald Alfred Wallin was a Swedish sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics and 1912 Summer Olympics....	Philip Hunloke Philip Hunloke Philip Hunloke né Perceval was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was a crew member of the British boat Sorais, which won the bronze medal in the 8 metre class.... Alfred Hughes Alfred Hughes Alfred Collingwood Hughes was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was a crew member of the British boat Sorais, which won the bronze medal in the 8 metre class.-External links:*... Frederick Hughes Frederick Hughes Frederick Saint-John Hughes was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was a crew member of the British boat Sorais, which won the bronze medal in the 8 metre class.-External links:*... George Ratsey George Ratsey George Ernest Ratsey was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.-Biography:He was a crew member of the British boat Sorais, which won the bronze medal in the 8 metre class. He died on December 25, 1942 in New Rochelle, New York.-References:... William Ward
12 Metre:	Thomas Glen-Coats John Downes John Downes (sailor) John Henry Downes was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was mate of the British boat Hera, which won the gold medal in the 12 metre class.-External links:*... John Buchanan John Buchanan (sailor) John Buchanan was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was a crew member of the British boat Hera, which won the Gold medal in the 12 metre class.-External links:*... James Bunten James Bunten James Clark Bunten was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was a crew member of the British boat Hera, which won the gold medal in the 12 metre class.-External links:*... Arthur Downes Arthur Downes Arthur Drummond Downes was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was a crew member of the British boat Hera, which won the gold medal in the 12 metre class.-External links:*... David Dunlop David Dunlop David Dunlop was a British sailor and Olympic Champion. He competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London and won a gold medal in the 12 metre class.-References:... John Mackenzie John Mackenzie (sailor) John Mackenzie was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was a crew member of the British boat Hera, which won the gold medal in the 12 metre class.-External links:*... Albert Martin Gerald Tait Gerald Tait Thomas Gerald Tait was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was a crew member of the British boat Hera, which won the gold medal in the 12 metre class.-External links:*... John Aspin John Aspin John Symington Aspin was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was a crew member of the British boat Hera, which won the gold medal in the 12 metre class.-External links:*...	Charles MacIver Charles MacIver Charles MacIver was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was a crew member of the British boat Mouchette, which won the silver medal in the 12 metre class.-External links:*... James Kenion James Baxter William Davidson John Jellico John Jellico John Fletcher Jellico was a British/Irish sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was a crew member of the British boat Mouchette, which won the silver medal in the 12 metre class.-External links:**... Thomas Littledale Thomas Littledale Thomas Alfred Royds Littledale was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.He was a crew member of the British boat Mouchette, which won the silver medal in the 12 metre class.... Charles MacLeod-Robertson John Spence John Adam Cecil MacIver	none awarded
15 Metre:	No Entries

Sailing 1908

1		4	1	1	6
2		0	1	0	1
		0	1	0	1
4		0	0	1	1
Total		4	3	2	9

Sailing 1896–1908

1		7	1	2	10
2		2	6	6	14
3		1	0	0	1
		1	0	0	1
5		0	1	0	1
		0	1	0	1
		0	1	0	1
8	USA	0	0	1	1
Total	8	11	10	9	30

Remarks

• This Olympic sailing event was gender independent, but only two woman, (Frances Rivett-Carnac
  Frances Rivett-Carnac
  Frances Clytie Rivett-Carnac née Greenstock was a British sailor who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.She was a crew member of the British boat Heroine, which won the gold medal in the 7 metre class....
  
  ) in the 7 Metre, and the Duchess of Westminster
  Duke of Westminster
  The title Duke of Westminster was created by Queen Victoria in 1874 and bestowed upon Hugh Grosvenor, 3rd Marquess of Westminster. The current holder of the title is Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster....
  
    as extra on het 8 Metre, participated. The duchess of Westminster also distributed the diploma's of special merit to the competitors of the other Olympic sports on July, 25 1908.
• The matches at Ryde were held in light air conditions.
• All members of a team had to be a citizen of the country they represent. However the boats used did not have to be build in the same country that the team was representing since the Olympic games are considered a test of skills and handling for the team and no a test of the yacht. This in contrast with the matches for the America's cup
  America's Cup
  The America’s Cup is a trophy awarded to the winner of the America's Cup match races between two yachts. One yacht, known as the defender, represents the yacht club that currently holds the America's Cup and the second yacht, known as the challenger, represents the yacht club that is challenging...
  
   of that time.
• A second 7 Metre yacht was entered under command of Capt. Sloan Stanley but failed to make it to the starting line.
• At the end of the official report the following suggestion was made:

  It has been suggested that in the yacht racing of future Olympic Games it might be better to select a fleet of “one-design” boats in the waters where the Games are held, and let all the crews entered draw lots for them every day, with the proviso that no crew should have the same boat twice.

  Sailing had to wait until 1920
  Sailing at the 1920 Summer Olympics
  The sailing at the 1920 Summer Olympics consisted of a total of 16 sailing classes . Two of these classes finally did not have entries. For each class three races were scheduled from 7 July 1920 to 9 July 1920 of the coast of Ostend North Sea. On 10 July 1920 sail-off races could be held.Two...
  
   before the first “one-design” class was selected for the Games.

Sailors

During the Sailing regattas at the 1908 Summer Olympics among others the following persons were competing in the various classes:, Johan Anker

Johan Anker

Johan August Anker was a Norwegian sailor and yacht designer who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics, in the 1912 Summer Olympics, and in the 1928 Summer Olympics....

, Multiple Olympic competitor and designer of many Metre yachts as well as the 1948 Olympic Dragon

Dragon (keelboat)

thumbThe International Dragon is a one-design keelboat.The Dragon was designed by Norwegian Johan Anker in 1929. In 1948 the Dragon became an Olympic Class, a status it retained until the Munich Olympics in 1972...

, in the 8 Metre, Duchess of Westminster

Duke of Westminster

The title Duke of Westminster was created by Queen Victoria in 1874 and bestowed upon Hugh Grosvenor, 3rd Marquess of Westminster. The current holder of the title is Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster....

 as owner and extra crewmember of the 8 Metre Sorais