Sailing at the 1960 Summer Olympics

Measurement at the Olympics became more and more professional.

• Again this Olympic sailing event was gender independent, but turned out to be a Men-only event. This was one of the triggers to create gender specific events. This however had to wait until 1988.
• Since the distance between Rome and Naples a separate organization was created for the Sailing events. The name of this organization was Solo Mio.
• The Italian Navy was responsible for the courses and the towing in and out of the yachts. According to the official report this was done on a very prompt manner. and we quote:

The only accident to occur, which resulted in the loss of the Lebanese Flying Dutchman, cannot be imputed to the method employed by the rescue crew after the boat had overturned, but to the incompetence of the Lebanese F.D. crew who attached the tow cable around a belaying cleat fixed to the deck.

• According to current standards a huge amount of sails was allowed for use during the Olympics (not every boat measured in the maximum number):
  • Finn, 1 sail (for the whole Finn fleet a total of 25 sails were available as spare.)
  • Flying Dutchman, 4 sets of sails (12)
  • Star, 6 sets of sails (12)
  • Dragon 6 sets of sails (18)
  • 5.5 Metre 6 sets of sails (18)
• 106 journalists of 52 countries were reporting the sailing event.
• Many former Olympians acted in the race committee, the International jury or measurement committee. Examples are: Peter Scott, Beppe Croce, Eddy Stutterheim, Jean-Jacques Herbulot and Edgar Beyn.

During the sailing regattas at the 1960 Summer Olympics among others the following persons were competing in the various classes:

•  Austria, Gotfrid Köchert, father of actress Bibi Besch and future grandfather of actress Samantha Mathis, in the 5.5 Metre
•  Australia, Jock Sturrock in the 5.5 Metre. Appointed flag-bearer of the Australian team at the opening ceremony in Rome, in recognition of becoming the first athlete to represent Australia in four Olympic Games. Later, skippered "Gretel" and "Dame Pattie", the first two Australian challengers for the America's Cup, and in 1962 was awarded the Lindy Award as Australian Sportsman of the year, the Helms Award for Australian Yachtsman of the year, and was honoured as Australian of the Year
•  Denmark, Paul Elvstrøm winning his fourth consecutive gold medal, this time in the Finn
•  Greece, Crown Prince Constantine winning his first and only gold medal, in the Dragon with two of his teammates. He would become king of Greece (1964–1973) as Constantine II
•  Finland, Peter Tallberg, future President of the International Yacht Racing Union (1986–1994), in the 5.5 Metre
•  Philippines, Francisco Paula Gonzales, future mass murderer for crashing Pacific Air Lines Flight 773 (1964)
•  Thailand, Birabongse Bhanudej, Prince of Thailand, in the Star

• The Organizing Committee of the Games of the XVII Olympiad (1960). The Games of the XVII Olympiad Rome 1960, The Official Report of the Organizing Committee Volume One (PDF). Archived from the original (pdf) on 27 October 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
• The Organizing Committee of the Games of the XVII Olympiad (1960). The Games of the XVII Olympiad Rome 1960, The Official Report of the Organizing Committee Volume Two (a) (PDF). Archived from the original (pdf) on 23 May 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
• The Organizing Committee of the Games of the XVII Olympiad (1960). The Games of the XVII Olympiad Rome 1960, The Official Report of the Organizing Committee Volume Two (b) (PDF). Archived from the original (pdf) on 29 October 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
• Hugh Drake & Paul Henderson (2009). Canada's Olympic Sailing Legacy, Paris 1924 – Beijing 2008. Toronto: CYA.
• "Rome 1960". Olympics.com. International Olympic Committee.