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8.3.Sailing
Unit - 8
8.3.Sailing- Sailing, previously known as Yachting, developed as a sport from an ancient means of transport over water.
- It is thought to have begun in the Netherlands, with the word ‘yacht’ based on the Dutch word ‘jaght’, meaning ‘light shipping or naval craft’.
- The sport was brought to England by King Charles II, who discovered it during his exile in the Netherlands in the mid-16th century.
- International competition started in 1851 when an American crew sailed across the Atlantic to take part in a race around the Isle of Wight.
- The event was re-named the America’s Cup, which remains one of the most prestigious competition in Sailing today.
- The sport of Sailing at the Olympic Games now includes Windsurfing, Dinghy, Keelboat and Match racing.
Last modified: Friday, 16 September 2011, 9:26 AM