Australian Sailing have made the difficult decision to not select or send an Australian Sailing Youth Team to the 2021 Youth Sailing World Championships.

The event is currently scheduled to proceed at Mussanah Sports City in Oman this December. The uncertainty created by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, border closures and the health and wellbeing of the athletes were identified as key considerations and criteria for not sending a team this year. 

Like many other sports across the country, Australian Sailing has had to adapt and modify its international competition plans, particularly for youth or under age teams.  Without this international competition opportunity AS will be focusing its efforts on a comprehensive slate of State Youth Sail events domestically in 2021, with a range of events open for registration now and will incorporate state Coaching Clinics and Youth Championship events. The events include:

NT Championships - 24 - 25 July, Darwin Sailing Club
Youth Sail QLD - 20 - 25 September, Keppel Bay Sailing Club
Youth Sail WA - 25 – 30 September, Hillarys Yacht Club
Youth Sail NSW - 29 September - 4 October, Point Wolstoncroft
Youth Sail TAS - 7 – 10 October, Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania
Youth Sail SA, Championship - 27 – 28 November 2021, Brighton & Seacliff Yacht Club
Youth Sail SA, Coaching Clinic - 14 – 16 Dec 2021, Largs Bay Sailing Club

Whilst there will not be an Australian Sailing Youth Team selected in 2021, Australian Sailing Performance Pathways will be holding an new and expanded National Youth Camp in April 2022 where athletes who would otherwise be selected for the Youth Worlds will access a dedicated block of training and coaching from some of Australia’s best sailing coaches.  There will also be opportunities to connect and learn from our Olympic sailors of the past.

A selection document for the National Youth Camp will be developed, with participants to be selected from designated regattas throughout the 2021/22 summer season.

Please click here for more information about the Performance Pathways Futures program, or visit the Australian Sailing Youth website to stay up-to-date with the latest news regarding our youth performance events.