Emerging Nations Programme sailors settle into the Hempel Youth Worlds

Ahead of the 2019 Hempel Youth Sailing World Championships, 18 aspiring sailors participated in a four-day Emerging Nations Programme training camp at Narodowe Centrum Zaeglarstwa in Gdansk, Poland.

The 18 sailors are representing 18 nations and help to form part of the 409 sailors from 66 nations racing at the 49^th edition of the Hempel Youth Worlds.
 
At the training camp, they focused on race preparation, including starts and mark roundings so they come into the event fully prepared to compete against some of the best youth sailor talent in the world.
 
The clinic was held in Gdansk, a short drive away from Gdynia, the host venue of the 2019 Hempel Youth Worlds. Sailors were able to acclimatise to the local surroundings, form friendships before moving to the official regatta venue to finalise their preparations.

At the clinic sailors also took part in three World Sailing Ocean Heroes Bootcamp workshops. These sessions, delivered by Captain Planet Foundation in partnership with the World Sailing Trust, focus on campaigning against single-use plastic, and give youth sailors the skills to campaign to reduce plastic in their area. A further workshop was held in Gdynia, and further resources and campaigning support will be provided to youth sailors through the World Sailing Ocean Heroes partnership.
 
At the mid-point of the competition, the competitors have settled into the event and are focusing fully on achieving the highest possible result.
 
The sailors at the event are:
Radial Girls:

• Ava Hider (CAY)
• Grace Mann (TCA)
• Jalese Gordon (ANT)
• Harshita Tomar (IND)
• Andrea Vilasana (VEN)
• Isabella Wright (RSA)
• Janka Melisova (SVK)
• Kristina Boja (SRB)
• Pin-Chieh Chen (TPE)

 
Radial Boys:

• Darius Berenos (AHO)
• Nikola Banjac (SRB)
• Trent Hardwick (BIZ)
• Robins Spats (LAT)
• Yang Huang (TPE)
• Sebastian Leri (PAR)
• Israr Hazim Ismail (MAS)
• Gregory Roger Wardojo (INA)
• Thad Lettsome (IVB)

 
Support from the Emerging Nations Programme covered the entry into the event, flight assistance and attendance at the training camp. World Sailing also provided coaching assistance for the training camp and the event itself. World Sailing’s Training and Delivery Manager, Rob Holden, and London 2012 Olympian Anna Weinzieher, are supporting the athletes throughout.  Class specific coaches are also at the World Championships in the 29er, 420 and RS:X.