Three years before the last Olympic Games in France, the area for the battle for medals in ten Olympic disciplines had already been decided. At the same time, many federations had already started planning and setting up their training camps in or near the future Olympic venue in the Bay of Marseille (Click here for the 2024 Olympic results) has begun.
With a view to the Olympics in LA28, the sailors had to wait a long time before their arenas were announced. The athletes can hope for more wind than they were granted in the picture-book bay of Marseille at the last Games.
2028 Olympics: two areas for sailing
The hosts of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games have now published their "finalised sailing plan", which divides the sailing competitions between the host city of Los Angeles and the second venue, Long Beach, just over a dozen kilometres away. According to the hosts, this is intended to "optimise" the competition conditions for the athletes and the fan experience at both venues.
World Sailing has reacted positively to the venue decision, writing in a statement: "World Sailing welcomes the confirmation of the venues for the LA28 Olympic Games, which will provide excellent conditions for all ten competitions. Belmont Shore in the host city of Long Beach will be the venue for the board competitions, while the Port of Los Angeles in the host city of LA will host the boat competitions."
Initially, the men's and women's windsurfing competitions will take place at iQFOiL and the men's and women's kiteboarding competitions at Belmont Shore on the coast of Long Beach. This venue is not new, having already been used for the 1984 Olympic Games. Back then, Achim Griese, who died in November 2024, and Michael Marcour won the silver medal in the Star Boat.
SailGP as a role model: Sailing in the Olympic city
Following the board sports decisions in Long Beach, the action continues in the Olympic capital of Los Angeles. The competitions in the six boat disciplines will be held there. The Olympic sailors in the Ilca 6 (women) and Ilca 7 (men), in the skiff classes 49er (men) and 49erFX (women) as well as in the two mixed disciplines 470er and Nacra 17 will be challenged here.
The Olympic competitions for board sports and sailing will take place one after the other: first the board competitions in Long Beach, then the dinghy, skiff and catamaran series in Los Angeles Harbour. With the two Olympic venues, LA28 aims to showcase the best of both locations - the dynamic board competitions in the heart of Long Beach's vibrant coastline, which will also be home to the Olympic sports of beach volleyball, open water swimming and coastal rowing.
A dedicated stage is to be created in Los Angeles harbour to improve the experience for athletes and spectators in the boat classes and bring the sailing action to the host city in 2028. The last time the Los Angeles harbour area was in the sailing spotlight was at the US SailGP in the Hollywood city. With its grandstands and stadium atmosphere, Formula 1 sailing showed how sailing can be presented in an exciting way here.
Philipp Buhl: "Best-case scenario for sailing"
Three-time Olympian and 2020 World Champion Philipp Buhl, who has his sights set on a fourth Olympic attempt, called the venue decision a "best-case scenario" for sailing. Buhl said: "It was decided to show the classes where they can shine best: the foiling boards tend to have shallow water and fewer waves off Long Beach. The conditions for the foilers are perfect there. They only need eight knots, but there are sometimes 15 and there are beautiful pictures in front of the beach."
Long Beach is the ideal place for windsurfing and kitesurfing - two outstanding sailing sports that will thrill spectators." Rex Richardson, Mayor of Long Beach
Commenting on the six Olympic sailing disciplines in the Olympic harbour of Los Angeles to the west of the surf arena, Philipp Buhl said: "For us Ilcas and the others, there is more wind and waves when we sail outside the harbour wall. At the western end, the sea breeze usually comes in a little stronger in the morning. On average, there is up to seven knots more wind than off Long Beach. But that's just a first rough estimate from afar, coupled with information from a few people. I think the surfers' setup is awesome, but I'm happy that we'll be where it's planned now."
Sailing has a long history in our city and will shine on the world stage." Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles
SailGP helmsman Erik Heil, who last sailed with Germany SailGP in March in Los Angeles, America's second largest city with almost four million inhabitants, is also familiar with the future Olympic sailing area. Heil says: "We have always sailed in this larger harbour area, but never off Long Beach. Basically, there are quite good thermals there. They always have something like 14 to 18 knots." The SailGP sailors experienced a few problems with Kelb in LA, but the area is good, according to two-time Olympic bronze medallist Heil.
Long Beach is epic. With lots of spectators. And the city also has a lot to offer. It could be a cool Olympic event." Erik Heil
World Sailing's CEO David Graham said: "Belmont Shore in Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles offer wonderful sailing conditions that provide a platform for all our athletes to demonstrate the skills, athleticism and strategic thinking required to succeed in our sport." The needs of the respective Olympic sailing disciplines played a major role in the decision.
2028 Olympics: Sailing spectacle with the Hollywood factor
Graham continued: "Although this decision ultimately rested with the relevant local authorities and LA28 as well as the International Olympic Committee (IOC), World Sailing was pleased to work with them to select venues that will provide a great experience for the athletes, a great spectacle for the sports fans and a great stage for Los Angeles as a coastal city."
This message was also important to Graham: "Today's announcement gives welcome reassurance to the athletes and their support teams who will be competing in the best waters in the region. We look forward to working with LA28 and the IOC, as well as our national federations and sailors, to deliver world-class sport in 2028."
Los Angeles will continue its Olympic legacy by hosting the Games for the third time after 1932 and 1984. During the 1932 Olympics, Los Angeles' Outer Harbour was the venue for the sailing competitions. During the 1984 Games, sailing took place in Long Beach. Now both venues are welcoming sailing back.
The Olympic opening ceremony: 14 July 2028
The exact schedule for the sailing competitions has not yet been finalised, but will be announced this summer. It is already clear that the opening ceremony will take place on 14 July. The Olympic Games are scheduled to last until 30 July. The Paralympic Games will begin on 15 August and end on 27 August. Click here for an overview of all Olympic sports and further information.
A look back at the SailGP event in March this year - the clip gives a little insight into the area where part of the Olympic regatta in LA2028 will take place, even though some of the Olympians will be challenged even further out:
