Scheduled to conclude on August 20, athletes in the dinghy category will be able to seal a maximum of 16 quotas at the Olympic Games next year.

For the first time, the World Championships will also feature three Para sailing classes - Hansa 303, 2.4mR and RS Venture.

World Sailing President Quanhai Li praised the initiative, saying he is "proud of important milestone in the history of sailing".

"Over the 10 days of the event, we can expect some thrilling competition as the world’s best sailors take to the waters for the opportunity to be crowned world champion," he said.

"Following in the footsteps of some of the most famous names in our sport, the Allianz Sailing World Championships also offers the chance to secure their place at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

 "But I am particularly proud that this event also marks an important milestone in the history of sailing as the first edition Sailing World Championships to include Para Sailing events. 

"As World Sailing continues to promote greater participation, accessibility and equality, it is absolutely vital that the sport is inclusive of all and the world’s best Para Sailors in Hansa 303, 2.4mR and RS Venture classes will all compete for the world title here."

Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Matt Wearn of Australia will be determined to finish on top in the world stage having won three silvers and one bronze medal in laser so far.

Home favourite Marit Bouwmeester will hope to stand out among women in the women's dinghy event.

The three-time Olympic medallist will be high on confidence having claimed the European title after coming back from childbirth.

There are plenty of Dutch sailors chasing different targets in The Hague, with Bart Lambriex and Floris van de Werken aiming for a third gold medal in the men's skiff category.

They will be joined by compatriots Odile van Aanholt and Annette Duetz aiming for threepeat in the women's skiff.

Daniela Moroz will be the one to look out for the United States as the six-time world champion competes with Lauriane Nolot of France in the formula kite.

French sailors Nicolas Goyard and Hélène Noesmoen are in good form and will be hoping to top the men's and women's podiums, respectively, in the new iQFOiL format.

Having claimed silver and bronze at the IQFoil European Championships in the last two years, Emma Wilson of Britain has caught a few eyeballs as she made the switch from RS:X.

After shining in the Trofeo Princesa Sofia, Max Maeder of Singapore will be hoping to upset reigning world champion Toni Vodišek in the men's kite.

Defending Olympic and world champions in Nacra 17 Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti will start as favourites in the mixed multihull.

With many more Olympic and world champions in the mix, the World Championships in The Netherlands is set to be an exciting contest.