The World Sailing Youth Emerging Nations Programme supports performance sailors from eligible Member National Authorities. The 2026 pathway combines online coaching with an in-person training camp and entry to the Youth Sailing World Championships in Vilamoura, Portugal.
It is designed to narrow the performance gap between emerging and developed sailing nations. Individual sailors do not apply directly; their national authority submits the nomination.
Benefits & funding
- Structured online coaching sessions in English for selected athletes and their coaches.
- A four-day in-person training camp immediately before the championship, led by World Sailing-approved coaches.
- Support for flights to the event, the event entry fee, and training-camp costs including boat charter and accommodation.
- Coaching during the championship and entry to the 2026 Youth Sailing World Championships.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be youth sailors nominated by a World Sailing Member National Authority eligible under the Emerging Nations Definition; World Sailing does not publish the exact 2026 eligible-MNA subset on the programme page.
- The programme supports ILCA 6 and iQFOiL Youth sailors.
- Each eligible authority may nominate one male and one female athlete per class.
- For the 2026 championship, competitors must have been born after 31 December 2007 and no later than 31 December 2014.
- World Sailing asks authorities to put forward promising sailors who are already on an appropriate high-performance pathway and aim to compete at the highest youth level.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Age requirement
12–18 yrs
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1The Member National Authority checks its eligibility under World Sailing’s Emerging Nations Definition.
- 2The authority identifies eligible athletes in ILCA 6 or iQFOiL Youth.
- 3The authority contacts larisa.zejen@sailing.org for application information.
- 4The authority submits the nomination by the stated deadline; direct applications from individual sailors are not accepted.
Program timeline
Applications announced.
24 February 2026
Application deadline.
31 March 2026
Structured online coaching sessions.
Over six months in 2026
Four-day in-person training camp.
Immediately before 11 December 2026
Youth Sailing World Championships in Vilamoura.
11–19 December 2026