Previously organised along with the naval pentathlon as part of the Sea Week, the world military sailing championship has led an independent life since 2001. All the better for our sailing champions' media exposure. Indeed, their performances used to be systematically overshad-owed by those of their naval pentathlon counterparts, which are admittedly more spectacular and therefore more media friendly.
Equally true is that spectators preferred to observe naval pentathlon events from the safety and comfort of dry land rather than watch sailing competitions from the few boats tasked with ferrying both supporters and sailing amateurs to the stretch of water that accommodated regattas.
The first self-standing world military sailing championship was held in 2001, but it was the 36th edition of an event whose organisation is well oiled: the organising country supplies the embarkations and all teams take part in all regattas in a round-robin tournament, each time in a different boat, which ensures a level-playing field.