Elections and decisions for World Sailing

World Sailing issued this report following their 2025 Annual Conference held November 1-8 in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland:

At the 2025 World Sailing General Assembly, the final meeting of the 2025 Annual Conference, World Sailing Member National Authorities voted in the Vice Presidential elections.

Dr Sophia Papamichalopoulos OLY and Corinne Migraine were elected as new World Sailing Vice Presidents at elections held during the World Sailing General Assembly.

Nominated by Cyprus, Dr Papamichalopoulos OLY received 45 votes while Migraine, who was nominated by France, received 36 votes in the first and only round of voting.

These appointments ensure gender parity of the World Sailing Board in line with the constitution. Both members of the Board will serve a three-year term, at which time another election will be held.

Kay Rawbone, nominated by Hong Kong, China, received 26 votes, Aiko Saito from Japan received 24 and Anne-Sofie Munk-Hansen from Denmark received 15 votes.

The World Sailing General Assembly approved the application of the X-15, Formula Wing, RS Venture Connect, 11 metre One Design and VX One classes to gain World Sailing status, which allows each class to hold World Championship level events. Meanwhile, applications from the Melges 20, X-35, B14 and RS500 classes to withdraw as a World Sailing Class were also approved.

Several proposals from Members, heard during the week and approved by the Board, were voted upon. This included the recommendation to introduce a Classification Sub-Committee to support the Para World Sailing Committee, and several cross-Committee appointments for the coming year.

In line with World Sailing Regulations, four events were placed under review for the 2032 Olympic Sailing Competition. These events were Mixed Dinghy (470), Mixed Multihull (Nacra 17), Men’s Kite and Women’s Kite (Formula Kite). The events will now be evaluated and placed on the agenda for the 2026 General Assembly.

2025 World Sailing Annual Conference – World Sailing Council Meeting
The World Sailing Council met prior to the General Assembly where the revised World Sailing Neutrality policy was approved, outlining the conditions by which Russian and Belarussian athletes can compete in World Sailing events as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN).