with a huge stretch of lush atlantic coastline, a wide-open bay, and numerous lakes and lagoons, rio de janeiro has naturally become an extremely popular location for various nautical sports - yachting, which has a rich history in the city, has become a popular activity all over the globe - as a means of great liberaty, utlizing the power of the wind to guide remarkable vessels, it is an exciting activity which can reach high speeds.

the act of sailing, using the wind to propel sails, is not a new technique - it has been used for thousands of years to enable man to travel long distances. sailing as a sport, versus leisure, is a relatively new phenomenon - dating back to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the sport started when dutchmen would race their yaghtschips (hunting boats), hence the term yachting.

soon after its beginning in holland, the sport was introduced across other countries in europe, and eventually to the americas, which initiated the early international competitions - the oldest running international sailing competition, is the america's cup, which began in 1851, and circles the british isle of wight.