Competitive Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some answers to some frequently asked questions. If you don’t see the answer you are looking for, please e-mail either the Championships Director or the National Chair for the championship you are interested in.

How do I find a class’s US Sailing membership number?

Instructions on how to find a class’s US Sailing membership number can be found by clicking here.

How do I find a club’s US Sailing membership number?

Instructions on how to find a club’s US Sailing membership number can be found by clicking here.

How do I find my membership number?

Your membership number is located on your membership card. You can also contact US Sailing by clicking here.

How do I join or renew my membership?

You can renew or join US Sailing by clicking here.

How do I enter a US Sailing Championship?

There are four different ways to enter the various US Sailing Championships:

  • Open Entry: any US Sailing member who complies with the particular events eligibility in the Notice of Race and Conditions may enter the event. There can be a maximum number of competitors for a particular event, so enter as early as possible before the deadline.
  • Elimination or Ladder: Area Qualifiers are held, consisting of the qualified teams from the various Sailing Associations within a US Sailing Area. A designated number of top teams continue to Nationals, this is usually the 1st place team or the top 2 teams.
  • Resume: Some events ask that you provide your sailing resume to enter into the event. A committee goes over the applicants’ qualifications and chooses the teams.
  • Invitation: Some Championships invite skippers by rankings or because they are Class Champions.
    The Notice Of Race (NOR) and Conditions for a particular Championship explain the Entry Format in detail. The NOR and Conditions for a particular Championship are listed on the individual championship’s home page.

Where do I find out the schedule of championships and their eliminations?

The US Sailing calendar lists all scheduled championships and their eliminations. There are sub-categories for Youth, Match, Women’s, Team Racing, Disabled, and Match Racing events on the US Sailing calendar too.

Whom do I contact to find out particulars regarding an event?

In most cases, the National Chair or Event Chair will have the answers. For eliminations, it might be someone in your geographic area. Every US Sailing Championship has a committee of volunteers who are ready to answer questions regarding the events. On the individual Championship’s home page there is a link labeled “Committee”. Clicking on this link displays a list of contacts including the representatives from around the country.

How does a club or other sailing organization host a U.S. championship?

Clubs or sailing organizations who are interested in hosting a championship are asked to submit a Host Bid package. Bids must be received no later than October 1 or March 1. Bids are normally reviewed at US Sailing’s Annual General Meeting in October and awarded fairly shortly thereafter.

What championships are seeking hosts?

There is a five year planning calendar which shows which championships are currently seeking hosts.

Who can be a judge or a principle race officer at a championship?

US Sailing regulations outline who can be a judge or race officer at a championship. Click here for a complete description or to find a judge or race officer in your area. Note: For the purpose of this policy the term “close relative” is defined as an individual related to another person or the person’s spouse within the third degree. This includes parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, siblings, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, spouses and close relatives of spouses including step- or in-law relatives. In all cases, the corresponding ISAF certification will be acceptable in place of the US Sailing certification. For example, an ISAF International Umpire may serve without approval in place of a US Sailing certified Umpire

Where do we send the waivers and other paperwork?

Send them directly to the event host. Do not send them to US Sailing.