NATIONAL SAILING ACADEMY

Photo by David Branigan/ISAF

The International Sailing Federation (‘ISAF’) will hold a Youth Sailing World Championship Emerging Nations Program in Antigua from July 14 to 21, 2015 hosted by the National Sailing Academy and a team of Antiguan youth sailors will have an opportunity to participate in the Program.

This Program was designed to create opportunities and better prepare young sailors as they build up to the 2015 ISAF Youth Worlds to be held in Langkawi, Malaysia from December 27, 2015 to January 3, 2016.

The regional performance clinics are being hosted in five continents to provide class specific coaching expertise. Training tips, rules sessions and more will be delivered to enable young sailors to become better all-round competitors.

The Antiguan team will be made up of Jules Mitchell, Rhone Kirby, Vincent Anfi and Jalese Gordon and their coach will be Shawn Ambrose (aka ‘Turban’).  The program has had such a positive response that it is oversubscribed.  Participation is restricted to 11 teams due to limited equipment available.  Nations participating in addition to Antigua include:  Barbados, Belize, British Virgin islands, Cayman Islands, Ecuador, Guatemala, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Uruguay and the US Virgin Islands.  Sailing will take place in Laser Radials and will seek to prepare the young sailors for the Laser class at the ISAF Youth Worlds at the end of the year.

ISAF President Carlo Croce said, "Through initiatives such as the Youth Worlds Emerging Nations Programme, ISAF is focused on reducing the performance gap between nations. ISAF will be monitoring the sailors post-event and ensuring our MNAs have access to on-going high level support. 

"We hope this programme will not only create champions of the future but will enable increasing participation in the Youth Worlds and enhance the long term participation in the Youth Olympics and Olympic Games. Excitement; Youths and sailing equal the perfect formula for success."

The Emerging Nations Program will provide significant funding subsidies to one coach and up to three sailors (minimum one female) per emerging nation. This will give both the coaches and sailors a greater chance to build knowledge and further develop national training schemes in their home countries, for future generations to benefit from.

During the seven day intense program which culminates in a two day regatta, the sailors and coaches will work on development of skills both on and off the water. Alongside traditional sailing skills and coaching techniques, they will be fronted with an ISAF TV presence to further their media skills and enhance sailing's profile within their nation.

Following the regional performance clinic being held in Antigua, attending nations will be encouraged to apply for up to two ISAF Youth Worlds 'ENP Scholarships'. ISAF will provide successful candidates with additional financial support for attendance at the 2015 ISAF Youth Worlds in Malaysia, including entry fees and equipment charter.

What a fantastic opportunity ISAF has created for youth sailors in the Caribbean region and elsewhere.  And what a great opportunity for Antigua’s National Sailing Academy to play host to such an important event.

Base of article from ISAF news release issued February 23, 2015 as edited by AYI editor.