Its main aim is the "development and education of young people of all nations, cultures, and social backgrounds through the experience of sail training.".

Sail Training International is best known for organizing the Tall Ships' Races, which are now followed and/or attended by hundreds of thousands of onlookers each year.

Due to the popularity of the regatta with the public and participating vessels, the first regatta evolved into the regular Tall Ships' Races (1973–2003 under the name Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Races), which continued to be organized by the STIRC.

[4] Sail Training International took over ISTA's property, employees and contracts with regatta and event ports a few months after its formation.

[3][10][11][12] Co-founding National Sail Training Organizations were those of Australia, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.