Youth Emerging Nations Program
World Sailing's Youth Emerging Nations Programs aim to support elite sailors reach their performance potential through a variety of support options
The programs outlined below are available to youth sailors, aged under 19. They aim to support sailors from Emerging Nations, as defined here.
The current Emerging Nations program (ENP) was developed in 2015, replacing the Athlete Participation Program, a scheme that had been running since 2003. The ENP aims to help close the performance gap between emerging and developed sailing nations and promote world wide competition. This is currently done through two programs, a virtual training program and the Youth World Championships Program.
Virtual Program
Launched in 2020, the Virtual Program is a new offering from World Sailing, bringing elite sailors and coaches together online to improve their knowledge and create a network of world wide sailors and coaches.
The group meets once a month online, and receives a theory session on a variety of topics. So far these have included: Starts, Staying in your Lane and Goal Setting. Sailors are then encouraged to take the learnings from these online sessions into their training, and work on these areas with their coach.
Sailors also have the option to track their training sessions using the Sail Insights App from SAP. The app means sailors can view their training sessions, record wind speeds and sea states and review their work when they are back on land.
The group also has an online classroom space where they can watch back any previous sessions from the group and share any training information or advice.
Members from all Emerging Nations are welcome, each MNA could apply for 3 male and 3 female Youth ILCA 6 sailors to join, as well as one male and one female coach. To find out more, email training@sailing.org
Youth World Championship Program
This program is run each year before the annual Youth World Championships, successful sailors are invited to a five-day training camp before then taking part in the championships. World Sailing provides support for flights to the event, as well as the event entry fee, and costs related to the training camp including boat charter and accommodation.
Sailors who participate in the Virtual Program are eligible to be selected for the Youth World Championships Program and offers them a chance to bring into practise and competition the skills they have been working on.
The athletes in the program as are also supported by world class coaching during the event, to provide on the water support and guidance for sailors in the event.
Visit the news section to find out about the latest Youth World Championships event.