Sailing has featured on Games programmes since 1900 with the categories constantly evolving. Sailing is one of the oldest sports on the Olympic programme and until the Sydney 2000 Games it was called Yachting! Larger boats dominated the early years of the competition with as many as 10 – 12 sailors. Since the 1950s the trend has been towards smaller one-design boats with fewer crew members.

This year’s sailing events will be held in the Marseille Roucas- Blanc Marina and surrounding sailing waters. Nautical teams from around the world will gather to compete in windsurfing, dingy, kite, skiff and multihull events. Two of these events are new to the Games: windsurfer – iQFoil and kiteboarding.

Interestingly, women have always been allowed to compete in Olympic sailing with men and the first ever woman to win an Olympic gold medal was a sailor, Hélène de Poutalès, who represented Switzerland. From 1988 separate sailing events were introduced exclusively for women and as the sport strives for gender equity, the Paris 2024 Games will be the first to have achieved equity at event and athlete level.

There are many of our yacht crew candidates with a very strong sailing background who have competed in National, International and even Olympic events. Competition at this level demands not only exceptional discipline and perseverance but also the capacity to embody team spirit. The specificity of the Olympic competition is the emphasis on the universal values portrayed; excellence, friendship and respect, and when integrated onboard a yacht can be used as a model for yacht crew that transforms organisational culture and enhances collective team performance.

EXCELLENCE: Just like Olympic athletes who often overcome injuries, defeats, and setbacks to reach their goals, crew members are encouraged to strive for excellence in their respective roles. This involves a commitment to constantly improve their skills, set ambitious individual and collective goals and seek innovative solutions to overcome everyday challenges. Each crew member must understand their role, responsibilities and specific contributions whilst being prepared and encouraged to assist others when necessary. Teams that persevere in excellence are those that can innovate, learn from their mistakes, and continuously improve.

FRIENDSHIP: The Olympics promote camaraderie and solidarity amongst competitors from different nations. Similarly, on a yacht, fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual support is crucial. Crews that cultivate friendly and respectful relationships work better together, share ideas more freely, and are more resilient in the face of obstacles. As with team sports, collaboration and communication are essential in yachting. Transparent and effective communication allows crew to better coordinate their efforts, quickly resolve problems and innovate more effectively.

RESPECT: Respect for rules, opponents, and oneself is a central value of the Olympics. On a yacht this translates to respect for colleagues and the diversity of opinions. A respectful onboard work environment encourages inclusion and fosters a climate of trust and psychological safety. Respect for each other ensures productivity onboard and is manifested by complying to rigorous time management, adhering to deadlines and committing to assigned tasks and specified onboard duties.

An Inspiring Example: Seas the Day

The team at YPI CREW we have been inspired by Seas the Day (www.seasthedayoceanrowing.com).An all-female trio rowing team striving to row 8000 miles across the Pacific Ocean from Chile to Argentina. Their journey encapsulates the very essence of adventure, daring exploration, resilience and the pursuit of personal growth, values that resonate with our own, trust and partnership. Watch out for the start of the Great Pacific Escapade in December.