World Sailing Begins Study of Olympic Equipment Environmental Impact

World Sailing is conducting a life-cycle assessment of Olympic-class sailing equipment to measure its environmental impact from production through disposal, The Independent reported. Alexandra Rickham, director of sustainability at World Sailing, said the project will supply data for decisions on equipment rules. “Sailing naturally has a close relationship with nature, with the environment.

It's seen very much as this clean, green sport using the wind,” she said. “But the reality is that our equipment has an impact. ” Competitive sailing has been an Olympic sport since 1900. In the 2024 Games, crews raced boats with hulls up to 17 feet long in the Bay of Marseille.

The boats are typically built from carbon fiber, fiberglass and PVC foam, materials that require energy-intensive production and resist recycling. Marine Futures is gathering data from builders on operations and from athletes on equipment use, replacement rates and travel.

Ollie Taylor, director of Marine Futures, said the goal is to quantify the impact of a full four-year Olympic cycle by the end of 2026 and to identify effective interventions.

The International Laser Class Association is testing recycled PET plastic as a substitute for high-density PVC foam on ILCA dinghies. Santiago Sampaio, the association’s chief technical officer, said any change must preserve performance and affordability for sailors in countries such as Fiji, Ghana and Angola.

Starting in 2032, Olympic sailing classes must submit independently verified life-cycle assessments.

Rickham said the data could also guide supplier selections for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.