The greatest youth event in sailing
For over half a century, the Youth Sailing World Championship has stood as the pinnacle youth sailing performance event, showcasing the future stars of the sailing world and the starting point for many future world and Olympic champions. Each edition of the Youth Sailing World Championship attracts the most promising youth sailors from around the world, selected by their Member National Authority, and competing on a level playing field across all events. At youth level, the Youth Sailing World Championships are an essential component of the performance pathway for the best youth sailors, pivotal to the development of emerging nations and essential for nurturing the next generation in an atmosphere of mutual friendship and respect.
A legacy for young sailors around the world
At every host venue, World Sailing aims to leave a legacy to support the future of the sport and make sailing a leader in accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability. The Youth Emerging Nations Program offers gifted sailors from underrepresented nations the opportunity to work with seasoned coaches, thereby bridging performance gaps and unlocking their full potential. Wide-reaching sustainability initiatives both on site and in the community align with World Sailing’s Sustainability Agenda and aim to enhance the environmental stewardship of the sport and underscore the leading role of sailing within international sport in promoting sustainability.
Delivering impact for the hosts
The most recent editions of the Youth Sailing World Championship, Buzios 2023 and Lake Garda 2024, generated substantial direct and indirect return on investment for the local economy covering accommodation, hospitality, daily transfers and locally-created employment, showing the benefits of hosting the event extend throughout the local economy. The Youth Sailing World Championships is also an impactful platform to promote a venue, city or region to a global audience, generating wonderful images and positive coverage which is shared around the world. The last two editions of the event have generated a total of two million video views and over 150,000 engagements on social media.
Far more than a competition
The Youth Sailing World Championship is far more than a competition; it is an unforgettable celebration of camaraderie, learning, and personal growth. With over 700 sailors and coaches taking part each year, it is one of the largest events in all of sailing and exposes competing athletes, teams and organisers to Olympic level championship management and an Olympic-type experience. This event is a vibrant testament to the power of sailing by laying the foundations for growing the sport and shaping the next generation of champions, and we are proud to continue this tradition of excellence and innovation at the 55th staging of the Youth Sailing World Championship in 2026.