Para Sailing Classification

Para Sailing is open to athletes with many types of physical, visual or intellectual impairments including high support needs athletes.

Para Classification – Sailing

The classification system is based on the IPC Classification Code. Athletes must present a permanent eligible impairment resulting from a recognised underlying health condition, and must meet minimum eligibility criteria in order to be allowed to compete.

Para Sailing Classification

Any Athlete wishing to compete in a Para Category, or win the Para World Champion title in World Sailing’s Inclusive Championship, must have a Para World Sailing Classification.

The purpose of the Para World Sailing Classification system is to measure the sailor’s ability in order to:

  • Enable fair and equitable competition at all levels;
  • Only measure functional limitations caused by physical capability;
  • Not be affected by the sailing skills, training or talent of the participant.

Sailors may be classified with a sport class from 7 points to 1 point, with 7 indicating the least severe and 1 indicating the most severe eligible impairment.

The following are the benchmark profiles of athletes in each sports class: *

1 point

Quadriplegic, complete; double through shoulder amputation.

2 points

Double above elbow amputation; single above elbow amputation and single below elbow amputation points.

3 points

Single above knee amputation and single above elbow amputation double below elbow amputation.

4 points

Single through shoulder amputation; double above knee amputation; double below knee amputation without prosthesis; single above knee and single below knee amputation without prostheses.

5 points

Single above elbow amputation; single above knee amputation and single below knee amputation, with prostheses.

6 points

Double below knee amputation, with prostheses; single below knee amputation.

7 points

Single above knee amputation; single below knee amputation without prosthesis (excluding Syme’s Amputation or equivalent).

*This is based on the current, 2019 Classification Rules, which are in the process of review.

Classification Master List

The Classification Master List is held here, and it is a list of all Athletes who have been Classified by an World Sailing panel of International Classifiers.

Presence on the Classification Master List is necessary for rankings, and award of Para Titles.

The Classification Master List is updated and published alongside the Para Rankings, which for 2026 will be:

  • 31 January
  • 30 April
  • 30 July
  • 30 October

Classification Master List Symbols:

MD=Eligible Minimal Disability
NE=Not Eligible
C=Confirmed
R=Review
N=New
CNC=Classification Not Completed
AWII=II sailors classified under the “Provisional Classification for Athletes with Intellectual Impairment

Classification Opportunities

At any Para World Championships, or major continental event there will be a classification opportunity. The Inclusive Development Program may also offer classification opportunities.
There is a dedicated calendar showing the events where Classification will be available here. It will also be noted in the documentation for that Event.