The 2025 Asian Inclusive Sailing Series delivers one of the most significant moments for the sport in Asia

Across the Hansa 2.3 and 303 fleets, the racing was competitive, confident, and a clear step forward. The 2.3 one-person divisions produced tight battles throughout the week, with France and Monaco topping the leaderboard.

Joy Habana from the Philippines showcased his up-and-coming talent finishing a very credible 5th in the main fleet, whilst Yui Fujimoto and Yoko Yagi from Japan led the women’s fleet.

In the 303 singles and doubles, the standard continued to rise, proving that Asia is rapidly building a strong, sustainable pathway in the Para Inclusive space.

Indian and Malaysian sailors showed the strength and development of their programmes topping both the men’s and women’s fleets in the 303.

The scale of the regatta was equally encouraging, with more than 30 Para sailors – a tangible sign of progress and a reminder of why this series matters.

For World Sailing, the AISS is not just another event; it’s a direct outcome of long-term investment through the Inclusive Development Programme (IDP).

It represents a growing regional movement that is now feeding directly into the global pathway toward the World Sailing Inclusion Championships and the wider Paralympic reinstatement campaign.

The foundations being set in Asia are helping sailors gain meaningful racing experience, access better coaching environments, and join a connected international community.

This success is the product of committed partners and leaders who believe in what Inclusive Sailing can become.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Yuki Hagiwara from the Para World Sailing Committee for her tireless dedication and her leadership in driving Para Inclusive sailing forward across Asia.

Her work behind the scenes – guiding programmes, supporting Member National Authorities (MNAs), and keeping the vision moving has shaped much of the progress we now see.

We are equally grateful to Captain Arvind Sharma and the entire Royal Mysore Yacht Club team, whose commitment to the inclusive concept has been outstanding. Their belief in creating opportunities for new sailors, their hospitality, and their willingness to invest in development have set a benchmark for others to follow.

The 2025 AISS also told the story of inspiration at every level. In interviews throughout the week, sailors spoke openly about what this event meant to them: a chance to compete internationally for the first time, a chance to feel part of something bigger, and a chance to prove what’s possible when the sport removes barriers.

As one athlete put it in a post-race interview, “This series gives us hope and a platform to show what we can really do.”

That spirit carried through the boat park, on the water, and in every conversation.

Looking ahead, the importance of the Asian Inclusive Sailing Series is only going to grow. Its role in preparing sailors for major championships, developing national programmes, and supporting the overall global pathway positions, it as a cornerstone of our future strategy.

More countries are joining each year, performance levels are rising, and the appetite for greater participation is clear.

To everyone who made this year’s series possible – the sailors, coaches, volunteers, organisers, partners, and supporters, thank you. What happened in Mysore was not just a great event; it was a step forward for the entire movement. The momentum is real, and the impact is only just beginning.

Future hosts for the event, including the 2026 series, will be confirmed shortly, with the aim of welcoming sailors from around the world to Asia.