2026 Youth Olympic Games (Dakar) – Windsurfing Expression of Interest
Australian Sailing invites eligible youth sailors to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to be considered for nomination to the Australian Youth Olympic Team for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
The Nomination & Selection Criteria document (available below) contains the full eligibility requirements, nomination process, and official Expression of Interest form.
- Submission of an EOI via the official form is required to be considered for nomination.
- Submission of an EOI does not guarantee nomination or selection.
- Submissions must include all required supporting documentation as outlined below, including a scanned copy of the sailors’s passport identification page.
About the Event
The 2026 Youth Olympic Games will be held in Dakar, Senegal from 31 October to 13 November 2026.
Sailing at the Games is governed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and World Sailing and will feature a windsurfing-only programme in the following events:
- Men’s Windsurfing
- Women’s Windsurfing
Australia has been allocated quota places for both Men’s and Women’s Windsurfing through the IOC qualification system, managed in coordination with World Sailing and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC).
The equipment for Dakar 2026 windsurfing competition is the Techno 293 OD, and racing will take place at Saly Beach, approximately 80km from Dakar.
Sailors submitting an EOI should be active within Youth Windsurfing and familiar with the Techno 293 OD class and international competition format.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility Summary)
To be considered for nomination, youth sailors must meet all requirements outlined in the Nomination & Selection Criteria, including:
- Be an Australian citizen
- Be a financial member of an Australian Sailing affiliated club
- Hold a valid World Sailing Sailor ID, apply for one here - sailing.org/sailors/world-sailing-profile/
- Be born after 14 November 2008
- Be born before 31 October 2012 (inclusive)
- Meet all eligibility requirements of the IOC, World Sailing, and the Australian Olympic Committee
- Submit a completed Expression of Interest via the official EOI form by the published deadline
*This summary is provided for convenience only. The Nomination & Selection Criteria document is the governing document for all eligibility and nomination requirements.
Important – Required Documentation
All Expression of Interest submissions must include a scanned copy of the sailor’s passport identification page.
The passport copy must:
- Clearly show the sailor’s full name and photograph
- Confirm Australian citizenship
- Be valid for international travel and not expire earlier than 6 months after 13 November 2026 (i.e. valid beyond May 2027)
- Be a clear, legible colour scan or high-quality image (no cropped or blurred documents)
EOIs submitted without a valid passport copy may not be considered for nomination.
Selection Overview
Where Australia is allocated quota places by the IOC and accepted by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), Australian Sailing will nominate sailors in accordance with the published Nomination & Selection Criteria.
Selection is based on identifying the sailor(s) most likely to achieve the best possible performance at the Youth Olympic Games.
Factors that may be considered include:
- Results achieved during the Performance Period (1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026)
- Consistency and standard of competition
- Performance relative to fleet size and conditions
- Recommendations from Australian Sailing Pathway Coaches
- Current fitness, health and readiness to compete
- Commitment to training and performance development
- Any other factors outlined in the Nomination & Selection Criteria
All nomination decisions will be made in accordance with the published criteria and relevant AOC requirements.
Costs and Logistics
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has advised that travel, accommodation, meals, team uniform, and Games-related logistics for selected sailors will be organised and funded by the AOC.
Selected sailors will be expected to attend the Australian Youth Olympic Team Champ Camp in Brisbane on 24–25 October 2026 prior to departure for the Games. Champ Camp is organised and delivered by the AOC. Attendance is expected unless exceptional circumstances apply.
Current planning indicates sailors will travel from their home port to Perth before departing with the Australian Team for Senegal on 2 November 2026 and returning to Australia on 15 November 2026. Further travel details and itineraries will be confirmed by the AOC.
Additional information regarding equipment allocation, training opportunities, coaching arrangements and event logistics will be communicated as it becomes available from World Sailing, the Organising Committee and the AOC.
Medical Requirements
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has issued medical requirements and recommendations for all prospective team members travelling to Dakar.
Sailors and parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to review the AOC Medical Information document and consult their GP as early as possible regarding vaccination requirements.
Mandatory requirements currently include:
- Yellow Fever vaccination
- Meningococcal vaccination
- Anti-malarial medication
The AOC has advised that the costs associated with mandatory vaccinations, anti-malarial medication, and related medical consultation will be reimbursed for selected team members.
Further information is available in the AOC Medical Information document below.
Key Dates
- Expression of Interest deadline: 15 July 2026 (5:00pm AEST)
- Champ Camp (Brisbane): 24–25 October 2026
- Team departure (indicative, subject to AOC confirmation): 2 November 2026
- Games Period: 31 October – 13 November 2026
- Return to Australia (indicative, subject to AOC confirmation): 15 November 2026
Download Documents
Nomination & Selection Criteria (includes Expression of Interest Form)
DOWNLOAD HERE
AOC Medical Information for Prospective Team Members and Parents/Guardians
DOWNLOAD HERE
Completed EOIs accompanied by a scanned copy of the photo ID page of the sailor's passport must be submitted by email to: youth@sailing.org.au by the deadline of:15 July 2026 (5:00pm AEST)
