Through a sponsorship initiative created by and funded by Vanguard Sailboats (Portsmouth, R.I.), the five athletes will receive a grant to offset the expenses associated with attending the championship. In addition, the funding provides for a coach to accompany the team. Bern NOACK(Belmont, Mass.), sailing coach at Harvard University, will reprise his role as team leader/coach.

The grant recipients, determined by the Laser Class Grand Prix Ranking System, will compete in the youth division of the championship and will not have reached the age of 19 in 2003. Named to the team are: Pat CURRAN (Moorestown, N.J.), Todd HAWKINS (Ocean Gate, N.J.), Greg HELIAS (Santa Monica, Calif.); Bobby NOONAN (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.); and Paige RAILEY (Clearwater, Fla.).