On 10 August 2023, 1,400 of the world’s best sailors will take to the waters of the port of Scheveningen in The Hague, The Netherlands, for two life-changing prizes.

First, the World Championship title, which has been held by many of the most famous names the sport has ever seen, and secondly qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The 2023 Allianz Sailing World Championships will also make history by being the first to include Para World Sailing events. As World Sailing continues to campaign for sailing’s reinstatement at the Paralympic Games for LA28, the world’s best Para Sailors have the opportunity to compete to become world champion in Hansa 303, 2.4mR and RS Venture classes.

David Graham, World Sailing CEO, said: “We are looking forward to the return of the Allianz Sailing World Championships and welcoming the world’s best sailors to The Hague. We are especially pleased to include Para Sailing in the programme for the first time ever and demonstrate the diversity within our sport at the highest profile event in the World Sailing calendar.”

He added: “This is an important step on the road to Paris 2024 for many and we are happy to be returning to The Hague once again, following the success of the Youth Sailing World Championships earlier this year, and can’t wait to see future Olympians test themselves in the tough North Sea course off the beaches of Scheveningen.”

The Sailing World Championships are the primary event in the Olympic qualification campaign and mirrors the Olympic sailing event format. All 10 Olympic events will be contested just one year out from Paris 2024.

The Hague

The natural environment of The Hague Beach with an authentic yet modern seaport will be transformed into the sailing capital of the world in 2023, with The Ocean Race also heading to Dutch waters from 11-15 June. The Hague recently successfully staged the 2022 Youth Sailing World Championships.

The 2023 Allianz Sailing World Championships, The Hague is organised in collaboration between World Sailing, TIG Sports, the Royal Netherlands Watersport Association and the Municipality of The Hague.

History of the Sailing World Championships

The Sailing World Championships were first held in Cádiz, Spain, in 2003, where the team from Great Britain – led by Sir Ben Ainslie – topped the medal tables with Gold in Men’s 49er and Men’s Finn, as well as Silver in Men’s Tornado and Bronze in Men’s Star.

The 2007 Sailing World Championships took place in Cascais, Portugal. Great Britain once again led the way with double Olympic Gold medallist Sarah Ayton leading the Yngling crew to victory. Australia’s Tom Slingsby, 2021 Rolex World Sailor of the Year, also starred, winning Gold in the Laser.

Slingsby repeated this success in 2011 in Perth, Australia, as the host nation claimed three Golds with compatriots Nathan Outteridge and Mathew Belcher also winning the top prize.

At the 2014 Sailing World Championships in Santander, Spain, the Brazilian pair of Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze – future double Olympic Gold medal winners at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 – won Gold in the 49er FX. New Zealand duo of Peter Burling and Blair Tuke won Gold in the 49er while Great Britain’s Giles Scott won Gold in the Finn event, going on to win Olympic Gold at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

In Aarhus in 2018, Daniela Moroz of the United States claimed Formula Kite Gold on the event’s first appearance at the championships, and Dorian van Rijsselberghe followed his golds at London 2012 and Rio 2016 with Gold in the Men’s RS:X.