International Canoe

The International Canoe (IC) is a boat which represents a long and complex evolution from paddle canoe to high performance racing dinghy.

As it exists today the IC is a one-man Development Class of 5.2m in length, 0.75m minimum Beam and 50kg all up minimum weight powered by 10 square metres of sail.

The IC is characterized by its means of creating righting moment, the sliding seat. By no means unique, and certainly not new, the sliding seat is a beam that slides athwartships on a track, enabling the sailor to hike out far to windward. The result is a long, skinny boat, very light for its length and sail area, which goes very fast! The IC is more than a unique sailing craft. It is one of the premier one-person sailing challenges, and as an open design racing class, brings together sailing talent from around the globe. Currently, the international fleet includes boats from the US, Canada, Great Britain, Sweden, France, Germany, and Australia, and the fleet is growing.

The International Canoe class enjoys a full racing calendar that is truly 'International'. National Championships are held annually in the US, Great Britain, Sweden, Germany, and Australia. European and British sailors can also compete for the annual 'Europa Cup', the trophy for the best IC sailors in Europe.

Internationally the IC class holds a World Championship Regatta every three years, with Nations winning the right to host championships.

International Canoe Sailors also compete for the second oldest (to the America's Cup) International Sailing trophy, the New York Canoe Club International Challenge Cup. The New York Cup Challenge is a series of races held after the triennial World Championships between the defending nation and the challenging nation.

Find out more at the International Canoe site.