The move from the south coast of England to the capital city will take place in late summer this year, it has been confirmed.

According to the governing body, London was chosen after an "extensive" evaluation process of possible locations.

This took place after Denmark's Kim Andersen unseated Italian Carlo Croce as President of World Sailing in November.

Swiss cities Geneva and Lausanne - the Olympic capital - were also considered along with Spanish contenders Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.

Winchester, another English city which is in Southampton's county of Hampshire, was also in the frame.

Only London, Southampton, Barcelona and Valencia were shortlisted by the World Sailing Board of Directors in December.

A central London location will now be sought with the move ending 20 years in Southampton.

The criteria evaluated included the chosen city being "international" as well as connectivity and ease of access for members and stakeholders.

The ability to retain existing staff was another key factor as well as the possibility for international diversity and a "high quality, multilingual employment base".

Heading to London sees the governing body return to its roots as in its previous guises it was based in the capital since formation in 1907.

"As with all good leadership, the Board and myself have looked into what is best for the World Sailing organisation and for our sport," said Andersen.

"We have taken into consideration the DNA of World Sailing as a whole, the technical skills we need to run the organisation, the aspect of being international and having options of multilingual competencies and accessibility.

"This has been weighed and reviewed, and we are pleased to announce that in the best interest of the organisation and the sport we have decided to move the headquarters to London."

World Sailing chief executive Andy Hunt added: "World Sailing received strong interest from cities wanting to host the International Federation headquarters. 

"Each city put forward a strong proposal and I thank them for their proposals and Southampton for hosting the governing body for the last two decades."