The old format saw sailors accumulating points from events which counted towards the WMRT leaderboard, with the Match Racing World Championship awarded to the sailor with the highest total at the end of the season.

This counted their best three results plus the final event.

This format has now been amended so sailors affected by the pandemic will not be at a disadvantage. 

WMRT organisers still plan to award the 2020 Match Racing World Championship, with an updated format set to be announced after August 31. 

"As well as our primary concern for the safety of competitors and event organisers on the Tour during this pandemic, events also need to be accessible by teams, particularly when points count towards the World Championship," said WMRT executive director James Pleasance.

"We certainly want to award a meaningful and credible world championship for 2020. 

"We are considering the option to host a single event championship, as well as ensuring a safe organisation of the event itself. 

"We plan to update competitors by the beginning of September."

Scheduling for the 2021 WMRT is underway, including new event announcements and separate plans for a World Match Racing Tour Academy, aimed at introducing sailors to the discipline of match racing, and opportunities to compete at local and international events.