World Sailing opens Race Officials Education application process

The application process is open from now until 13 February 2026.

Available Courses

The Race Official education programme offers varying levels of courses for each Race Official discipline, with applications available for the following courses:

National Race Officer Level 1 (Club /Local) and Level 2 (National) Training Courses
An introductory and national educational pathway for MNAs that lack the resources to run their own development programmes for race management. Any MNA with their own national programme will have no need for a Leve1 or Level 2 Course.

National Judge, Umpire, & Measurer Clinics
National level education for any MNA seeking to expand volunteer participation and grow technical race official capacity but may lack the resources to establish their own programs. Any MNA with their own national program will have no need for a World Sailing educational clinic.

International Umpires, Race Management, Measurers Seminars
Advanced education for national-level officials. Attendance at a World Sailing International Seminar is a mandatory requirement to apply for International Race Official status.

Please note: Applications for International Judges Seminars will not be open in 2026, as host locations have already been confirmed.

To assist with preparing an application and finding the most appropriate course, World Sailing has produced guidebooks outlining course objectives, structure and associated costs (to open, just click on the guidebook below).

• National Race Officer Training Programme Organisational Guidebook   
• Measurers, Umpires & Judges Clinics Organisational Guidebook  
• Race Management, Umpires and Measurer Seminars Organisational Guidebook

To apply for a National Race Officer Training Course, please use the application form here.

To apply for a National Judge, Umpire or Measurer Clinic, please use the application form here.

To apply for an International Judge, Umpire or Measurer Seminar, please use the application from here.

After the application window has closed, all applications will be reviewed in line with strategic development priorities and successful courses can begin as early as 1 April 2026.

Fiona Kidd, World Sailing’s Head of International Development, said, “The new application process enables all MNAs to access World Sailing educational courses that support the global development of race officials. Member National Authorities can now apply for year-round courses or varying levels to support their own personal ambition. The new application process for Race Official Education has been designed to be clearer, more consistent and more accessible for our Member National Authorities. By streamlining how MNAs apply and engage with Race Official Education, we are reducing administrative barriers and empowering them to plan, deliver and grow high-quality officiating pathways that meet the needs of their sailors and events.”

Member National Authorities are encouraged to apply for Race Official Education before it closes on 13 February 2026.

For more information on the race officials education or inquiries on how to apply, contact World Sailing at raceofficials@sailing.org.