Sailing at the 2020 Summer Olympics

The Tokyo 2020 sailing program was exactly the same as in 2016 at Rio de Janeiro. There were 10 events with five for men, four for women, and a mixed multi-hull event, raced in Nacra 17 boats. Both the men and women raced a windsurfing event (in Neil Pryde RS:X boats), a one-handed dinghy event (Laser for men, Laser Radial for women), a two-handed dinghy event (470 boats for both), and a skiff (the 49er for men, and 49er FX for women).

The men’s additional event was the traditional one-handed heavyweight dinghy event, raced in Finn boats since 1952, and a monotype dinghy event had been contested since 1928. However, this would be the last Olympics for the Finn class, to be replaced in 2024 at Paris by a mixed two-person dinghy event.

Tokyo sailing events took place in the Sagami Bay, racing out of the Enoshima Yacht Harbour. This was the same site that held the 1964 sailing (then yachting) events at those Tokyo Olympics, although the marina had since been re-built. Sagami Bay was renowned for its large waves, which meant the schedule had to be adjusted somewhat when Typhoon Nepartak formed off the coast of Japan and came into Tokyo on the evening of the middle Monday, and the morning of the middle Tuesday, necessitating officials to postpone some of the races.

Great Britain led the medal lists, both in terms of medals won, with five, and gold medals won, with three. Australia won two gold medals while France, Germany, and the Netherlands all won three medals. The four women’s events were divided among four nations – Brazil, China, Great Britain, and the Netherlands, while the men’s events saw Australia and Great Britain lead the way with two medals, both gold, for each nation. Traditional sailing power the United States was shut out of the medals, as they had been in 2012 at London, and had now won only a single sailing bronze medal since the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Great Britain’s Giles Scott defended his title in the men’s Finn class, as did Brazilians Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze in the women’s 49er FX class. Hannah Mills (GBR) also defended a title in the women’s 470 class, but with a different partner than in 2016 at Rio.