Olympic Classes racing at Kiel Week

The International Finn dinghy was designed by Richard Sarby in 1949 with the intention that it will be the single-handed dinghy at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland. It was not selected following the design competition but after dominating sailing trials in light and heavy winds in 1950, the Finn was selected. The Finn class has National Finn Associations in over 60 countries and although it is most popular in Europe it is sailed world-wide and backed by a very strong International Class Association. The Finn dinghy is highly competitive using innovative design features that allow competitors to adjust their rig to suit their size and weight. It has been an Olympic Class since 1952 and been sailed by a broad range of sailors. The Finn Gold Cup, the class World Championship, is the major annual event for the Class.

The Laser was designed in 1969 by Canadian Bruce Kirby with simplicity and performance in mind. Production began in 1971 and the boat became an International Class recognised by the IYRU (now ISAF) in 1974. The Laser is a strict one-design class and is popular with sailors at all levels. It offers a physical and tactical challenge, quick to rig and easy to transport.

The 470 was designed in 1963 by Andre Cornu (FRA) as a modern fibreglass planing dinghy with trapeze and spinnaker. In 1969 the class was given international status and has been on the Olympic programme since 1976, sailing initially as an open event.

The 470 was the first dinghy of the modern Olympic era, could accommodate light and medium weight crews and be sailed as effectively by men as women. In 1984, Cathy Foster (GBR) became not only the first woman to helm a boat at the modern Games, but the first women in history to win a race at the Olympics. A technical and tactical boat, the 470 is popular around the world.

The 49er was designed by Australian Julian Bethwaite in 1995 as a progression on the latest developments within the Australian 18-foot Skiff class. With the prospect of huge spectator appeal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, a new event was introduced, that of the high performance dinghy, and after trials held on Lake Garda in Italy in September 1996, the 49er was chosen to be the equipment used. The class was granted international status in 1999.

Carrying a mass of sail, twin trapezes, wings and a huge assymetric spinnaker, the boat is very much for the expert sailor, providing fast, exciting sailing for athletes and spectators alike. The 49er is an open class, available to both men and women, with competitive sailing offered in a weight range from 145kgs to 165kgs (combined crew weight).

The International Star was designed by Francis Sweisguth (USA) in 1911, and is the oldest Olympic Class. It was first used in competition in 1932 and is still at the heart of competition today. In 1932 the Star Class was the first ever Olympic one-design, and has raced at every Olympic Games since, except 1976 when the Tempest took her place for one Olympiad. The Star Class is supported by a worldwide association called the Star Class Yacht Racing Association which was founded in 1922.

The Star is sailed by a variety of sailors of all ages and skill levels. Many of the world's top sailors have been involved in the Star Class, including a large number of America's Cup skippers. The Star has evolved into the ideal craft for all ranges of competition and performance sailing, simple enough for a beginner yet demanding enough for those at the forefront of sailing.

The Yngling was designed by the originator of the Soling, Jan Linge from Norway in 1967 and was granted international status by the IYRU (now ISAF) in May 1979. The International Yngling Association was founded in 1971. In 1990 the interior of the boat was re-designed to include a double-bottom cockpit sole, and self-bailers above the waterline on the side. Designed to be sailed by three, the boat is unsinkable, and a light and responsive keelboat.

The Yngling is a strict one-design class and, popular with both men and women, the class has separate open and women's world championship events with highly competitive fleets at both. The Yngling made its debut Olympic appearance in Athens 2004.

The International Tornado Class Catamaran was designed by Rodney March (GBR) in the autumn of 1967, and it gained its Olympic Games status from the IYRU (now ISAF) after winning a selections regatta in Brightlingsea, England. The Tornado became the first multihull event sailed in an Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada in 1976.

This worldwide class became turbocharged following extensive evaluation trials and tests in 1999. The eventual outcome was that the Tornado was reselected for the 2004 Olympic Games but with some major changes which were to be developed and implemented by the Class. The final adjustments included the addition of a second trapeze, larger upwind sail area, and an asymmetric to an already powerful catamaran.

The boats are strong, stiff and universally competitive and reflect the ability of the sailor rather than technological innovations. The International Tornado Class Association continues to grow.