Update from the World Sailing President

We are delighted to confirm that sailing will be included at the eighth edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games to be held in Malta, in 2027, marking the first time that sailing has been included in the event. Eight sports will be present, and Malta 2027 will welcome approximately 1,150 athletes aged 14–18 from Commonwealth Sport’s 74 nations and territories. We hope this is a springboard for future participation in the Commonwealth Games going forward. 

This is also a new era for Olympic Sailing, under new International Olympic Committee leadership. I was honoured to represent World Sailing at the International Olympic Committee Presidential Handover Ceremony in Lausanne, Switzerland, held on Olympic Day in June. Former President Thomas Bach, who had been in post for 12 years, officially handed over the presidency to Kirsty Coventry, the first female president of the IOC.  

After the progress made under Thomas Bach’s leadership, we are excited for the next eight years under the guidance of President Coventry. 

As we look ahead to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, we welcomed confirmation from the IOC and the Los Angeles Olympic Games Organising Committee that the 10 events in the Olympic Sailing Competition will be held across the Belmont Shore in the 2028 Venue City of Long Beach and in the Port of Los Angeles in the Host City of LA. We are very pleased with this selection and anticipate excellent conditions at both venues. 

Since receiving the news that Sailing would not be included as a Paralympic sport for LA28 we have unveiled a comprehensive Para Inclusive Sailing strategy which outlines steps for growth in the sport. More events, greater structure, and wider participation are all key aspects of our strategy. This includes the forthcoming World Sailing Inclusion Championships to be held in Mussanah, Oman, in November. We remain fully behind the campaign for inclusion at Brisbane 2032 and will strive to achieve this goal. 

Lastly I want to offer my personal congratulations to the organisers of the 2025 Optimist African Championship held in Tanzania. I was very happy to see the love and enthusiasm for our sport among so many young sailors. They are the future of sailing. 

Thank-you to the volunteers, parents, coaches, and technical officials who have dedicated themselves to advancing sailing across Africa. Your efforts have made outstanding contributions to the development of regional sailing. 

Africa possesses rich resources for sailing, yet it may require assistance from all of us. Let us pay more attention to this promising continent and extend greater support to nurture its sailing potential. 

Thank you, everyone, for your support so far this year. It is important to use this momentum to support sailors, clubs, volunteers and everyone involved in the sport at all levels, in all regions across the globe.