It followed presentations from each applicant to the ISAF Evaluation Commission in March.

Situated on the eastern side of the peninsula of Jutland, Aarhus is Denmark's second biggest city and steeped in sailing history, stretching back to the Vikings, it is claimed. 

It has hosted several world class sailing events in recent years, including the 2008 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship, 2010 505 World Championship, 2011 A-Cat World Championship and the 2013 49er and 49erFX European Championships. 

The last edition of the ISAF Sailing World Championships were held in Perth, Australia in 2011 ©Getty Images



"The bids ISAF received were of exceptional quality and we are grateful for their commitment to the sport," said Jerome Pels, chief executive of the ISAF.

"All four venues demonstrated passion and commitment to host the 2018 ISAF Worlds which made ISAF's decision a difficult one to make.

"In recent years Aarhus has demonstrated its expertise in hosting high calibre sailing events featuring the finest sailors on the planet.

"We look forward to working closely with the organising authority to deliver a world class event for sailors, spectators and those watching from home."

Aarhus' bid was established by the Danish Sailing Association, Sport Event Denmark, Sport Aarhus Events and Sailing Aarhus.

The Championships will take place at a new Aarhus International Sailing Centre in Aarhus Yachting Harbour.

The ISAF Sailing World Championships is the principal qualification event for the Olympics, so Aarhus will be particularly significant in the build-up to Tokyo 2020.

Denmark’s top sailors backed Aarhus' bid to host the 2018 ISAF World Champonships
©Sailing Aarhus

Lars Lundov, chief executive of Sport Event Denmark said the city was "very honored to be awarded the ISAF Worlds 2018."

He added: "Aarhus is the right place at the right time for sailing.

"The city and Denmark has a strong sailing and event tradition and we now look forward to making the event a big bang for sailors and sailing."

The ISAF World Championships was held in Cadiz in southwest Spain in 2003 and has subsequently been followed by Cascais in Portugal in 2007 and Perth n 2011. 

The next edition is due to take place later this year in Santander, also in Spain, from September 8 to 21.

The event will serve as the first Rio 2016 qualifying competition with 50 per cent of Olympic places available.

Nearly 1,500 sailors and 1,000 boats are expected to represent more than 80 countries in the biggest Olympic qualifying sailing event yet.

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