FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

2025 Youth Sailing World Championships

General Information

What are the dates and location for the 2025 Youth Sailing World Championships? 
The Championships will be held from 12–20 December 2025 in Vilamoura, Portugal.

What is the expected travel window for the Australian team?
The anticipated travel period is from 10–23 December 2025, allowing time for pre-event preparations and post-event logistics.

Who is eligible to compete?
Competitors must be over 12 years old and under 19 years old as of 31 December 2025 (i.e., born after 31 December 2006 and no later than 31 December 2013).

Selection Process

When will the Selection Guidelines be published?
The Selection Guidelines were published 1 July 2025 via the Australian Sailing Youth website.

What is the purpose of submitting a Sailor Expression of Interest (EOI)?
Submitting an EOI is a mandatory requirement for selection. It confirms your intent to be considered and provides essential eligibility details, including nationality, residency (if applicable), evidence of mandatory e-learning completion, and agreement to the selection terms. Only sailors who submit their completed EOI by the closing date will be eligible for team selection.

When does the Sailor EOI open and close?
The Sailor EOI opened on 1 July 2025 and closes on 21 September 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted.

When will selection notifications be sent?
In line with clause 4.6 of the Selection Guidelines, after each relevant Selection Regatta, Australian Sailing will email all eligible sailors who competed to advise the date the Selection Panel will meet.
The official selection notification (the offer of a place on the team) will only be made after the Selection Panel formally confirms the final team.

What are the selection regatta dates and locations?
The selection regattas for each event/class are as follows:

Equipment Requirements

What equipment is required for Kitefoil sailors for selection at the selection event and for the Youth Sailing World Championships?

Kitefoil sailors must supply their own equipment for both the selection regatta and, if selected, for the Youth Sailing World Championships. Equipment must comply with World Sailing and Formula Kite Class rules.

For the 2025 Youth Sailing World Championships, the event will be sailed in the Formula Kite class, using registered Formula Kite equipment. At both the selection event and the Youth Worlds, sailors are expected to use the following:

• Registered Formula Kite equipment, including Kites, Hydrofoil Systems, Bridle Systems and Speed Systems / Riser Systems and all their associated updates.

You can find the list of registered equipment and class rules on the Formula Kite Class website at www.kiteclasses.org

Note:

• The equipment you use at the selection regatta should reflect what you intend to use at the Youth Worlds if selected, to ensure compliance and performance consistency.
• Equipment will not be chartered or supplied by the organisers for the Kitefoil class at the Youth Worlds — all gear must be transported and maintained by the sailor.

If you have any doubts about your equipment's compliance, please consult directly with Kiteboarding Australia or the Formula Kite class association.

Residency Waiver

What is a Residency Waiver, and who needs one?
A Residency Waiver allows a sailor who is not a national of Australia to be considered for selection to represent Australia. This may apply to sailors who have lived long-term in Australia but do not hold Australian citizenship.

How can I apply for a Residency Waiver?
Sailors must email youth@sailing.org.au with details of their situation. Australian Sailing will then submit the request to World Sailing on their behalf and retain a copy of the waiver as part of the official selection record.

Note: 
This process can take up to 4 weeks to receive a confirmation from World Sailing, so please do not leave this step to the last minute as you will not be able to submit your EOI without uploading the confirmation (if required)

To be eligible for a waiver under World Sailing's Eligibility Code, a sailor must:

• Have resided in Australia for at least three consecutive years;
• Have held membership with a club affiliated with Australian Sailing for that time;
• Not have represented another country in the past three years.

Refer to the World Sailing Eligibility Code for the most up-to-date information.

Financial Considerations

How much will it cost if selected?
Participation in the event is 100% self-funded, with an estimated cost of approximately AUD $10,000 per sailor. This estimate includes the following:

• Entry fee (including charter, accommodation, and meals during official event dates)
• International flights and domestic ground transport
• Accommodation for travel days outside event dates (likely 1–2 nights)
• Meals outside of those covered during the event
• Team uniform
• Insurance
• Coaching costs: coach travel, remuneration, meals, accommodation, uniform, insurance, etc.

Note: 
Coach costs will be split equally across selected sailors. The final figure may vary depending on team size, number of coaches, travel options available at the time, and exchange rates.

Where can I find funding to support travel and participation?
Sailors aged 12–18 may be eligible for support via the Australian Sports Commission's Local Sporting Champions program, which offers grants of $500–$750.
More information: Local Sporting Champions Grant

In addition, families are encouraged to explore tax-deductible fundraising options through the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF): ASF Athlete Fundraising

Coaching Team

When does the Coaching Team EOI open and close?
The Coaching Team EOI opens on 1 July 2025 and closes on 31 August 2025.

When will coaching appointments be announced?
Offers will be made during the week starting 8 September 2025.

Who selects the team coaches and team leader?
Australian Sailing is responsible for selecting and appointing the team coach(es) and team leader.

How many will be in the Coaching Team and who will they be?
The coaching team may include up to three coaches and one team leader. Australian Sailing will fund the team leader, and at least two of the coaching positions will be funded by the selected sailors with costs shared equally among the sailors. Final roles, appointments, and funding arrangements will be confirmed closer to the event.

The team staff will include at least one male and one female, and Australian Sailing aims to achieve gender-balanced representation across the coaching team including team leader wherever possible.

Additional Information

Where can I find the link to Sport Integrity Australia to complete eLearning modules?
Visit the SIA website: elearning.sportintegrity.gov.au

Where can I find more information about the event?
Visit the official event website: 2025 Youth Sailing World Championships – Vilamoura, Portugal

Where can I stay updated on Australian selection and team announcements?
All updates will be published at: www.sailingyouth.org.au

Who can I contact for further questions?
Email youth@sailing.org.au for any further inquiries.