Sailboats (1960)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
The sport of waves and wind
Sailing, as a sport, is the art of moving a boat or similar vessel to the rhythm of the waves and wind. Today, it is considered a nautical sport in competitions.
“Yacht Albatross”, Captain Sidney Jones (1967-05-20)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Origin of sailing
Wind-powered sailing vessels have their origins in ancient times, as they were used as a means of transport for trade, travel, exploration, or warfare.
Flying Giviny (1960)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Birth of the sport
Sailing is a sport that comes from royalty. In the 17th century, Charles II transformed sailing into an art by creating competitions on the River Thames. It gradually gained popularity until Ireland founded the first amateur association in 1720.
Sailboat (1971-01-16)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Knowledge of the sea
Sailing requires a set of specific knowledge such as handling boats, the ability to 'read' the wind and its directions, understanding weather conditions, and being able to swim perfectly.
The sailboat (1968)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
The rise of the sport
By the end of the 19th century, the competitions and influence of this sport had spread to different countries, so much so that it was included in the 1896 Olympic Games in Greece. However, it did not take place due to the climatic conditions at the time.
Butcher Boy II (1957-12-20)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Olympic sailing
So it was that sailing, considered a sport, successfully appeared as an Olympic competition in Paris in 1900 and was integrated into the Pan American Games from 1951.
Sailboats (1965)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
The rules of the game
Regattas are speed competitions among sailboats propelled solely by the wind, aiming to complete a previously announced course while respecting the rules of competition and navigation.
Sailing to unity
Due to the demand for the activity, in 1907 the first international sailing federation was founded to organize sailing competitions. Today, the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) is responsible for defining the rules of sailing contests.
Sailboat (1965)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Olympic spectrum of sailing
In the Olympic Games, the sport of sailing has ten categories in which men and women participate. Each sailing competition holds 11 regattas spread across the days of the contest.
The crew
Each discipline involves a specific number of crew members, competing only with participants from the same vessel.
Sailboat (1960)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Pioneering regattas
International regattas or competitions took place for the first time in 1851 when a syndicate of members of the 'New York Yacht' in the United States built a 101-foot schooner, which they named 'America.'
Sailboat (1964-09-22)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Conquest at the Isle of Wight
America' sailed to England to compete in a regatta organized by the Royal Yacht Squadron on the Isle of Wight and, with the United States' victory, won the trophy called the 'Hundred Guinea Cup.'
Bride of the Sea (1959)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
The legacy of 1851
As a result of the 1851 competition in England, the trophy is known as the 'America's Cup,' as it is the oldest international sporting event in the world.
Sailboat (1960)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
A nation of sailors
Throughout the 20th century in Mexico, various sailing clubs and associations were established to promote the sport. It usually takes place in Valle de Bravo, Acapulco, Cancun, Veracruz, Riviera Nayarit, and Puerto Vallarta.
Mr. Luis Ferro, Héctor García, Ing. González Karg, Mr. Foster, Mr. Roberto Sloane (1967-03-29)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Nautical collaboration
Today, the Mexican Sailing Federation (FMV) maintains a collaboration agreement with the Mexican Navy to give sailing lessons to the children of its personnel within its naval base facilities.
Sailboats in Acapulco (1956)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Olympic athletes
Sailing has gradually gained greater importance in Mexican sports, a clear example being the work of sailors David Mier y Terán and Tania Elías Calles, who have participated in the Olympic Games since 2000.
This story was created with information and support from Instituto Nacional de Estudios Históricos de las Revoluciones de México.
