Team Racing
Team Racing typically consists of two teams each of three boats competing against each other. It is a fast-paced racing style which depends on excellent boat handling skills and rapid tactical decision-making.
The teams try to achieve a winning combination of places – the lowest score wins. The scoring system is 1 for first place, 2 for second and so on. If one boat in the team wins the race they are not guaranteed glory as their combined score must be ten or less to win – 2,3,5 = 10 points v 1,4,6 = 11 points. If a team is lying in 1,4,6 then the boat in first place will go back and try to help his team mates through to 2,3,5 or better. How does he do this?
A team racer has two main weapons. Firstly, he can position his boat between the wind and his opponent, thus blanketing his sails and slowing him down. Secondly, he can use the right of way rules to his advantage. Approaching his opponent in such a way that his adversary has to change course or incur a penalty. Both these weapons are deployed before the start when the manoeuvres begin, with all six boats performing an intricate and aggressive dance to try and gain the advantage.
The racing is followed by umpires on the water who issue on the spot penalties. If a boat is protested against by another boat they can accept it and perform a 360 degree penalty turn straight away or wait for the umpires to give a decision which may result in a green flag (no penalty) or a 720 degree turn.
World Sailing Open Team Racing World Championship
Roll of Honour
| Year | City | Country | Hosted by | Boat Used | Winning Nation |
| 1995 | West Kirby | United Kingdom | West Kirby Sailing Club | Firefly | United Kingdom GBR 1
Steve Tylecote |
| 1998 | Miami | USA | Strictly Sail Miami | Vanguard 15 | United States USA 2
Mark Mendelblatt |
| 1999 | Dún Laoghaire | Ireland | Royal St. George Yacht Club | Firefly | New Zealand NZL
Andrew Murdoch |
| 2001 | Lake Brno | Czechia | Lodni Sporty Brno Yacht Club | 420 | New Zealand NZL 1
Andrew Murdoch |
| 2003 | Auckland | New Zealand | No host club. Organised by NZTRA and sailed out of The America’s Cup Village | 420 | United States USA 2
Timothy Fallon |
| 2005 | Rhode Island | USA | New York Yacht Club | Vanguard 15 | United States USA 1
Timothy Fallon |
| 2007 | Gandia | Spain | Real Club Náutico de Gandia | 420 | United States USA 1
Clay Bischoff |
| 2009 | Perth | Australia | South of Perth Yacht Club | Pacer | United States USA 1
Clay Bischoff |
| 2011 | Schull | Ireland | Fastnet Marine and Outdoor Education Centre | TR 3.6 | United Kingdom GBR
Andrew Cornah |
| 2015 | Rutland | United Kingdom | Rutland Sailing Club | Firefly | United States USA 1
Michael Menninger |
| 2025 | Rhode Island | USA | New York Yacht Club | Sonar | United States USA
Will Bailey |
| 2026 | Stockholm | Sweden | Gamla Stans Yacht Sällskap | J/80 | United States USA 1
Alex Curtiss |
World Sailing Youth Team Racing World Championship
Roll of Honour
| Year | City | Country | Hosted by | Boat Used | Winning Nation |
| 2005 | Rhode Island | USA | New York Yacht Club | Vanguard 15 | United States USA 1
Colin Merrick |
| 2007 | Gandia | Spain | Real Club Náutico de Gandia | 420 | United Kingdom GBR 3
Elizabeth Stanley |
| 2009 | Perth | Australia | Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club & South of Perth Yacht Club | Pacer | Australia AUS
Jasper Warren |
| 2011 | Schull | Ireland | Fastnet Marine and Outdoor Education Centre | TR 3.6 | United Kingdom GBR
Cameron Douglas |
| 2015 | Rutland | United Kingdom | Rutland Sailing Club | Firefly | United States USA
Eli Burnes |