Snipe World Championships

In November 1932, the Snipe Class governing body, the Snipe Class International Racing Association (SCIRA) was formed with Dr. Hub E. Isaacks of Dallas, Texas, as the first SCIRA Commodore. The first fleet outside the United States was chartered in March 1933 in the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club (England), and in July 1936, the class reached the status of world’s largest racing class with fleets all over the world. Although the Snipe World Championships had been held since 1934, when the first edition took place at the New Rochelle Yacht Club, in Long Island Sound (New York), it was not until 1946 that this championship actually became international. The event was held at Chautauqua Lake Yacht Club. Contestants from Brazil, Canada, Portugal, United States and Switzerland participated. Dr. Martin Dupan representing Switzerland, was so impressed with the championship at Chautauqua, that he became the instigator for the first World Championship to be held outside of the USA. It was held in Lake Geneva, Switzerland, hosted by the Société Nautique de Genève in 1947, with boats from 13 countries. In 1949, the decision was made to hold the championship, that took place every year except during World War II (1943–1944), every two years, and to hold Hemisphere Championships (Europe and Africa championship and Western Hemisphere & Orient Championship) and World Championships in alternate years.[2]

in 1973, a Junior World Championship independent event was created. In 1986 the World Masters Championship and in 1994 the Women's World Championship were added.[3]

The Open World Championship, also known as senior worlds, or just World Championship, where the Commodore Hub E. Isaacks Trophy, O’Leary Trophy and Earl Elms Perpetual Trophy are awarded, is limited to the best national boats under an established quota based on the number of properly registered boat owners submitted to the SCIRA office by each National Secretary on the dues paid members for that year.

The following formula is used ("Registered Boats" must include: owner's name, address, fleet number and hull number to which the member has paid dues upon):

Additionally, the following skippers have an automatic entry to the championship that is not included in their home country’s quota:

• Last World Champion, European Champion, Western Hemisphere & Orient Champion, Women’s World Champion and first and second place in the Junior World Championship.
• Any former Commodore Hub E. Isaacks Trophy winning skipper.
• One additional skipper from the host country, providing that it does not have among its other representatives the Junior or Senior World, European or Western Hemisphere & Orient Champion.
• One additional skipper from the host fleet.

If the total entrants do not meet a total of 80 boats, those unassigned entry slots will be re-allocated to a pool of qualified entrants by SCIRA and the organizing authority.[4]

The Women's World Championship, where the Roy Yamaguchi Memorial Trophy is awarded to the winning skipper and her crew, is held every 2 years in even numbered years.[5]

The Junior World Championship, where the Vieri Lasinio Di Castelvero Trophy is awarded to the winning skipper, is open to contestants under 22 years old (not having their 22nd birthday during the calendar year the regatta is held). It is held every 2 years in odd numbered years. All skippers must be citizens or bonafide residents for at least one year, of the country they represent. Must have 3 countries to conduct a championship. Entries are limited to:[6]

• 10 skippers per country.
• One additional skipper from the host country, providing that it does not have among its other representatives the Junior World, Junior European or Junior WH&O Champion.
• Current Junior World Champion, if he is otherwise eligible
• Junior European Champion, if he is otherwise eligible
• First Junior from Western Hemisphere & Orient Championship, if he is otherwise eligible

The Masters World Championship, where the Id Crook Memorial Trophy is awarded to the winning skipper and crew, is held every 2 years in even numbered years. It is open to boats where the skipper must be at least 50 years of age in the year of the regatta and the combined age of skipper and crew must be at least 80 years in the year of the regatta.[7]