Physical Education

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.