The goal is to expose more youth racers to the ILCA circuit so they can experience the high level of competition offered by the class.

Steve DAVIS, President of the International Lightning Class Association, said, 'The Lightning has everything to offer young sailors: great competition, a three-person crew, and an easy-to-transport performance boat.'

He continued, 'The only drawback is that it can be a challenge to campaign a competitive boat when you're just starting a job out of college. That's where this programme comes in, helping bridge that gap.'

For more information on the programme, the selection criteria and how to apply CLICK HERE.