With the Antiguan team proudly leading the procession, the national flag held high as a banner before them, more than 500 sailors from 67 countries—joined by over 200 supporters—marched in the opening ceremony of the World Sailing Youth Championships in Portugal.
The Antigua Yacht Club (AYC) is proud to announce that Emily Gaillard and Shanoy Malone, both competing in the ILCA 6 class, are representing Antigua and Barbuda at the World Sailing Youth Championships 2025. The event is taking place at Marina de Vilamoura, Loulé, Portugal, from 12–20 December 2025. The team is accompanied and coached by Karl James.
Widely regarded as the pinnacle of youth sailing, the World Sailing Youth Championships brings together more than 400 of the world’s top young sailors, aged 12 to 18, from up to 70 countries. Competitors race across 11 Olympic-pathway events in male, female, and mixed categories. The championship mirrors the Olympic sailing format and features classes including ILCA 6, 420, 29er, Nacra 15, iQFOiL Youth, and Formula Kite, making it one of the largest and most diverse youth sporting events globally.
Antigua and Barbuda’s participation at this prestigious event reflects the strength and growing international recognition of the AYC youth sailing programme. Competing among the world’s best, the Antiguan sailors represent both national pride and the expanding presence of Caribbean talent on the global sailing stage.
David Graham, CEO of World Sailing, highlighted the importance of the event, stating:
“For more than half a century, the Youth Worlds has been the pinnacle of youth sailing, serving as the ultimate proving ground and a vital stepping stone for future Olympic and professional sailing. This event represents the future of our sport, and we are incredibly excited to welcome the next generation of champions to Vilamoura.”
The championships are hosted by Vilamoura Sailing, with support from Marina de Vilamoura, the City of Loulé, and the Portuguese Sailing Federation. The venue is renowned for its world-class facilities and consistent conditions, tested through a series of Youth Portugal Grand Prix regattas that have established Vilamoura as a leading high-performance sailing hub. Sailors can expect racing that demands adaptability, tactical skill, and resilience across a range of conditions.
The event also reflects a strong commitment to sustainability. Vilamoura Sailing operates on solar energy, and organisers have implemented initiatives to reduce environmental impact, including the elimination of single-use plastics.
For the Antigua Yacht Club sailors, participation at the Youth Worlds represents the culmination of years of dedication—early mornings, long days on the water, and countless training hours. Beyond medals and results, the experience builds lifelong skills, friendships, and memories that will endure long after the final race.
AYC Commodore Dr Clarence Pilgrim expressed his pride, saying:
“I am immensely proud of our young sailors. Seeing them represent Antigua and Barbuda on this world stage is a powerful reminder of what the Antigua Yacht Club stands for—youth development, opportunity, and excellence.”
He extended his sincere thanks, on behalf of the AYC, to the sailors’ families, coach Karl James, and the wider AYC community, whose commitment, encouragement, and belief have made this achievement possible. Their support—through early mornings, long training days, and countless hours on and off the water—forms the foundation upon which these young athletes continue to grow.
During the opening ceremony, sailors from around the world poured water from their home seas into a shared aquarium—a powerful symbol that, no matter our flags, languages, or distances, we all sail the same waters. In that moment, Antigua and Barbuda’s colours stood proudly among the world’s finest, carried forward by a new generation ready to shape the future of the sport.
