Known as the Formula 1 of Sailing, Match Racing is perhaps the oldest and most common sort of sailing races ever...and as it's name suggests, requires only 2 sail-boats that match each other's class.
In simplest of words, a match race can be described as a duel between two identically-matched boats with a winner - and a loser.
THE TRUE CHARACTER...
Match racing has its own set of rules, which are slightly different from the regular racing rules that create very close, aggressive competition in which collisions are certainly not rare. 
Match racing also has on-the-water judging, with umpires doling out "instant justice" on the water.
Match racing is tremendously exciting to participate in. And, unlike watching other sailing competitions, match racing can be thrilling to watch. Before the start, the boats vie for control, circling each other and trying to wipe each other off on spectator boats in an elaborate game of cat and mouse.
COURSE & RACES
1) The match racing course resembles an oval shape with the Start/Finish line close to shore.
2) The course consists of a starting line, between two marks, laid at right angles to the wind's direction.
3) The boats begin from the starting line and sail upwind to the first mark to be rounded to the starboard (right side). The spinnakers are set, and the duel continues downwind to the second mark that is laid in close proximity to the starting line 100-meters further up the course.
4) The boats round the marks 2-3 times before the winner crosses the Finish line.
5) Series of Short and Quick races - The race spans only 15 – 20 minutes. Several such races are run with the overall winners on points graduating to the next round, and eventually to the quarter finals, semi finals and finals as per the event format.
Also, in order to viewership, lately match-races have a provision for on-board cameras and spectators.
BOATS & RULES
During the World Match Racing Tour, which is held at many cities of the world, upto 8 or 6 identically equipped and prepared one-design boats are supplied by each event. Boats range from 30 - 40 feet in length with 3 - 6 total crew members. Each day of racing crews draw for a new boat to race that day. This helps to control costs and focuses the racing on the skill and strategy of the skipper and crew.
Some of the main rules include (World Match Racing Tour) :-
1) When the wind comes across the sides of the boats in opposite direction, the boat with the wind on the left (port) side gives way to the boat with the wind on the right (starboard) side.
2) When the wind comes across the same side of the boats and there is no overlapping, the boat behind (astern) must keep clear.
3) When the wind comes across the same side of the boats and there is overlapping, the boat on the leeward (downwind) side of the other has the right-of-way.
4) Umpires follow each race and make instant penalty decisions. A boat (colour flag on back) with a penalty (colored ball on umpire boat) must do a 360-degree penalty turn before the finish.
For more information on the same visit the website of World Match Racing Tour.
STRATEGY
1) The start is critical: A 5-minute gun signals the beginning of an intricate, furious pre-match duel, with the two boats engaging in a furious one-on-one battle to gain the leading position on the race course.
2) Windward Leg: On the course the boats commence an upwind battle; the lead boat spilling turbulent air off its sails to slow the boat behind. Furious tacking is likely to ensue with the latter trying to force a crew error to rob their aggressor of the advantage.
3) The end of the first windward leg provides an opportunity for the trailing boat to seize the edge by creating an inside overlap within two lengths of the mark, forcing the lead to allow room which usually means relinquishing its place.]
4) Downwind Run: On the downwind run the trailing boat has a chance to attack from behind, positioning itself so it's spinnaker casts a wind shadow over the leader. To escape, the boat may gibe away, creating heart-pounding onboard action - and spectacular sailing - as each crew furiously swings spinnakers from side to side.
5) Dropping the Spinnaker: At the bottom mark the same overlap rules apply and the action intensifies as crews drop the spinnaker and prepare the boat for the next leg while the skipper jostles for position.
6) To the Finish: Once more around the course and the battle is over. Often the winner is not determined until the final few boat lengths.
WORLD MATCH RACING TOUR
The World Match Racing Tour is the world’s leading professional sailing series. 
The 10 event series is the only global series of sailing events in the world touching 5 continents.
Featuring America’s Cup teams, skippers and world’s top sailors in the ultimate "race of truth".
Sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and one of three properties with "Special Event" status alongside the America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race.
The WMRT uses the same one-on-one, match race format (course, rules, umpires) as the America's Cup. However, races take place in identical, event-supplied racing yachts for a true test of skill and teamwork. Boats range from 30-40 feet with 4-6 crew on each yacht.
Each event lasts 5 days with racing held as close to shore as possible for a unique spectator and hospitality experience.
WMRT television coverage reaches over 600 million households in 75 countries through 34 broadcasters.
THE MUMBAI INTERNATIONAL MATCH RACE
The Mumbai International Match Race organized by the Match Racing Association of India, is India's effort to take the sport of sailing to the people...
Through regular Match Racing 'Clinics' held at the Naval Sailing Club in Mumbai, there is a healthy participation continuously ringing-in.
Held successfully last year at the H2O complex off the Marine Drive promenade in Mumbai, the event is bound to be a sure-shot success this year when heats start from October, and the finals held in between 30th November to 6th December, 2008.
The event promises to be a star-studded event of both kinds - the best match-racing sailors in the world...and the who's who of the glam world.
The excitement of Formula 1...
The compact format of T-20...
The strategy of chess...
...Match Racing has it all!
Read more...
Sep 11, 2008
Match Racing : Meet your Match...
Aug 11, 2008
Olympics 2008 Sailing : Will China Sailing Team Grab Gold?
Sailing as a sport began in China in 1978 and developed rapidly. More than 20 provinces, cities and regions now plan to start sailing competitions. Although there is still a long way to go for China's 470 and Tornado-class sailors to catch other world-class teams, the Olympics provides the Chinese athletes a great opportunity to learn.
As the host, China is directly qualified to enter all 11 sailing events. Sailors competing in Yngling, 49er and Finn events were selected from Qingdao.
The Chinese team also has gold medal chances in men's and women's windsurfing and the Laser Radial sailing class.
Ben Ainslie of Britain (L) and Zhang Peng of China competing in Finn class sail upwind during the first race of the sailing competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Qingdao, Shandong province,August 9, 2008. (Above)
Women's windsurfer Yin Jian won a silver medal at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Determined to give her best performance at home, Yin has been training hard.
Laser Radial competitor Xu Lijia, currently ranked second in the world by the International Sailing Federation, is another one leading China's bid for a sailing gold.
Young and talented, Xu won the 2006 Laser Radial World Championships and took a silver medal at the 2008 Worlds. World No 1 Anna Tunnicliffe of the United States and Tania Elias Calles Wolf of Mexico are Xu's strongest rivals.
Tiantai is a local Qingdao team that is representing China in the Yngling event. It won third and sixth place respectively in the 2006 and 2007 Qingdao International Sailing Regatta.
To prepare for the Games Wang Yong, coach of the team, invited foreign coaches to help the athletes improve their skills and strategy.
Experts also gave psychological guidance to bring out a top-notch performance.
"We undertook physical training and studied competition rules in the morning, and went out on the water in the afternoons to familiarize ourselves with the venue," said Song Xiaqun, a competitor with the Tiantai team.
China has taken first place many times in the Asian Games. The women's windsurfing team has won five world titles. China won two silver medals in Barcelona in 1992 and the same in Athens four years ago - but never a gold.
According to this report by the China Daily, lets wait and watch if China grabs gold!
Read more...
Aug 5, 2008
IFDS Blind Sailing World Championship 2009
Blind Sailing International (B.S.I.) is the governing body for competitive international sailing for persons who are blind or visually impaired. Sailors who meet the universal criteria for legal blindness are eligible to compete in B.S.I. boat race meetings, called regattas.
Boats with tillers are preferred over those with wheels so that the blind helmsman can gain a better feel of the helm. A responsive helm is more of a factor than the boat size or design.
Neither special boat nor any modification is required for blind sailors. It is to be noted that the preferred type or design of boat is one that is large enough to carry a crew of four while small enough to provide a responsive helm, which will enable the blind sailor to exhibit their 'seat of the pants' sailing ability.
Rules for sailing -
Crew: Team - four sailors on a boat, two of whom are blind according to I.B.S.A. classifications. The other two are sighted and serve as guides.
The helmsman must be a blind sailor, who must steer the boat independently unassisted by any sailor. The other blind sailor serves as crew, primarily trimming the sails.
Roles: The sighted guide for the helm is not allowed to physically touch any of the controls on the boat including sheets, and is responsible for verbally guiding the blind helmsman. The second sighted sailor serves as crew assisting the blind crew with sail trim. The four sailors work together as a team with verbal communication skills and accurate execution of manoeuvres being the keys to success.
Quick Facts – 2009 IFDS World Blind Sailing Championships
Lake Rotorua
Rotorua
New Zealnd
13th - 21st March 2009
Type of yacht - Noelex 25 trailable yachts
Participants - 30 crews from 10 countries
Click here to download entry forms for the race or log onto http://www.blindsailing.org/ (download page) for more details.
