The Olympic sailing classes have been used in the sport of Sailing/Yachting during the Olympic Summer Games since 1896. Since then, 46 different classes have been used.
The eight Olympic classes scheduled in London 2012.
The sport of sailing involves a variety of competitive sailing formats that are sanctioned through various sailing federations and yacht clubs. Racing disciplines include matches within a fleet of sailing craft, between a pair thereof or among teams. Additionally, there are specialized competitions that include setting speed records. Racing formats include both closed courses and point-to-point contests; they may be in sheltered waters, coast-wise or on the open ocean. Most competitions are held within defined classes or ratings that either entail one type of sailing craft to ensure a contest primarily of skill or rating the sailing craft to create classifications or handicaps.
Inshore yacht racing on Sydney Harbour
Windjammer Parade at Kiel Week in Germany, the world's biggest regatta and sailing event
A 1D35 near the race committee boat, Humber Bay, Toronto, Ontario
The Yacht Race, an 1872 print