The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) is the world governing body for the sport of
sailing, particularly
yacht,
dinghy,
windsurfing and radio sailing racing. It is composed of "Member National Authorities" (MNA's) from almost every country in the world. The organisation dates from 1996, when the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU) changed its name to the International Sailing Federation (ISAF). ISAF is in charge of the Olympic Regatta, the sailing events held as part of the
Summer Olympics. ISAF also is in charge of publishing the
Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS, formerly the Racing Rules of Yachting) and editing the document after every Olympic Regatta based on the input of its MNA's. The RRS, with some modification by the MNA's (called "prescriptions") are followed for the racing of any kind of vessel powered by the wind from remote-controlled sailboats and sailboards to multi-masted vessels, even ice-yachts are included in the scope of the RRS. Another responsibility of the ISAF is to approve new classes of sailboats such as the
Flying Junior dinghy or the
12-metre class. It also approved existing classes, notably the
International One Design, the first class it awarded International Classic Yacht status.
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