Top 20 Sailing Champions of All Time

Top 20 sailing champions, categorized by men and women, based on their achievements in competitive sailing, including world championships, Olympic medals, and other prestigious sailing events:

Top 20 Men Sailing Champions

1. Ben Ainslie (UK) – Four-time Olympic gold medalist, America’s Cup winner.
2. Robert Scheidt (Brazil) – Two-time Olympic gold medalist, multiple World Champion.
3. Peter Burling (New Zealand) – Olympic gold medalist, America’s Cup winner.
4. Jimmy Spithill (Australia) – Two-time America’s Cup winner, Olympic competitor.
5. Darren Bundock (Australia) – Multiple World Champion in catamaran sailing.
6. Paul Elvström (Denmark) – Four-time Olympic gold medalist, considered one of the greatest.
7. Sir Russell Coutts (New Zealand) – America’s Cup winner, multiple World Championships.
8. François Gabart (France) – Winner of Vendée Globe and other solo sailing events.
9. Thierry Peponnet (France) – Olympic gold medalist, multiple World Champion.
10. Dean Barker (New Zealand) – America’s Cup competitor, multiple World Champion.
11. Sébastien Josse (France) – Multiple Vendée Globe and Route du Rhum participant.
12. Loïck Peyron (France) – Legendary sailor with numerous world titles, including America’s Cup.
13. Antoine Albeau (France) – Windsurfing World Champion, world record holder.
14. Brad Butterworth (New Zealand) – America’s Cup winner, multiple World Championships.
15. Chris Dickson (New Zealand) – America’s Cup and multiple World Championship competitor.
16. Ken Read (USA) – Multiple world champion and America’s Cup competitor.
17. John Bertrand (Australia) – America’s Cup winner and Olympic competitor.
18. Arnaud Boissières (France) – Experienced solo round-the-world sailor.
19. Vincenzo Onorato (Italy) – Winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup, multiple world titles.
20. Laird Hamilton (USA) – Big-wave surfer and innovator in windsurfing.

Top 20 Women Sailing Champions

1. Diana Valkenburg (Netherlands) – Olympic sailor, multiple World Champion in dinghy sailing.
2. Lijia Xu (China) – Olympic gold medalist in Laser Radial.
3. Sally Barkow (USA) – America’s Cup competitor, world champion in match racing.
4. Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) – Olympic gold medalist, multiple World Champion in Laser Radial.
5. Ellen MacArthur (UK) – World record holder and second place in Vendée Globe.
6. Claudia Rossi (Italy) – Multiple world titles in women’s match racing.
7. Samantha Davies (UK) – Top solo sailor, participant in Vendée Globe.
8. Isabelle Joschke (Germany/France) – Leading solo sailor in various offshore races.
9. Katherine B. (Katie) Pettibone (USA) – Top women’s sailor, focused on offshore racing.
10. Liz Bayliss (USA) – Accomplished in the International 505 class.
11. Mary L. Martin (USA) – Known for competitive sailing and world championships.
12. Marianne duPont (France) – France’s top match racing and dinghy sailing champion.
13. Tania Aebi (USA) – First American woman to sail solo around the world.
14. Cecilia Jonsson (Sweden) – Multiple national champion and successful international sailor.
15. Rosie Chapman (UK) – Multiple World Champion and known for her dedication to youth sailing.
16. Maud Fontenoy (France) – First woman to row across the Atlantic and sail solo around the world.
17. Sophie de Turckheim (France) – Known for her success in offshore racing and strong performances.
18. Kristen Lane (USA) – Successful match racer and international champion.
19. Silvia Roca (Spain) – Competed in international championships and Olympic Games.
20. Sara Winther (New Zealand) – Olympic sailor and multiple World Championship contender.

This list includes a mix of Olympians, world champions, and notable sailors who have achieved exceptional success in their careers. Many of these sailors have made significant contributions to the sport and remain active in various sailing disciplines.