2025 Youth Sailing World Championships to be held in Portugal
by World Sailing 2 Dec 05:20 PST
12-20 December 2025
Vilamoura Sailing will host the 2025 Youth Sailing World Championships © World Sailing
World Sailing has announced that Vilamoura Sailing in Portugal will be the venue for the 2025 Youth Sailing World Championships, scheduled for 12-20 December.
For over 50 years, the Youth Sailing World Championships have served as the pinnacle of youth sailing excellence, providing a global platform for future sailing stars and acting as a significant springboard for numerous world and Olympic champions.
This championship attracts elite youth sailors from all corners of the globe, employing a format akin to Olympic sailing where all competitors compete on an equal footing across various events. A total of 11 events will take place across male, female, and mixed categories, open to sailors aged over 12 and under 19 on 31 December 2025.
Quanhai Li, the President of World Sailing, stated, “The Youth Sailing World Championships have consistently been one of the key events in the World Sailing calendar, showcasing up-and-coming talent and future legends. We are thrilled to grant the 54th edition of the championship to such an outstanding host venue and dedicated Organising Committee, which will promote World Sailing’s values of inclusion, equality, and sustainability, ensuring a truly unforgettable championship.”
David Graham, World Sailing’s CEO, remarked, “The Youth Sailing World Championship symbolizes the future of our sport, and witnessing such high-performance levels year after year is an incredible privilege. From just 16 nations participating in its inaugural edition in 1971, the event has grown substantially; this year it saw over 400 sailors from 70 countries, and we eagerly anticipate another exceptional championship in Portugal in 2025.”
The Organising Committee will consist of Vilamoura Sailing, supported by Marina de Vilamoura, the City of Loulé, and the Portuguese Sailing Federation.
To prepare for the Youth Sailing World Championship, several key events will take place, specifically tailored for the participating classes. These events will provide excellent training opportunities for sailors to enhance their skills ahead of the championship. The Youth Portugal Grand Prix will unfold in several rounds:
1st Youth Portugal Grand Prix, Round 1: 18-20 December 2024
1st Youth Portugal Grand Prix, Round 2: 5-7 April 2025
2nd Youth Portugal Grand Prix, Round 1: 2-5 December 2025
These regattas aim to gather top youth sailors, fostering a competitive atmosphere and valuable experience as they prepare for the main event.
The 2025 Youth Sailing World Championships will embrace sustainability initiatives focused on minimizing environmental impact. Vilamoura Sailing’s facilities are fully powered by solar energy, and the event will aim to eliminate single-use plastics by providing water stations and reusable vessels. Furthermore, a strong emphasis will be placed on digital communication to cut down paper waste, along with promoting eco-friendly transportation options, including electric robotic marks and support boats. Event materials will be crafted for reuse in future gatherings, and recyclable materials will be prioritized throughout the championship.
A Notice of Race will be released in January 2025.
