World Sailing supports the growth of Race Management in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Held from 20–22 February 2026 at the SVG Sailing Association Centre of Excellence at Coconut Grove Beach Club, 15 participants from junior sailing clubs across Union Island, Bequia, Mayreau, and St. Vincent took part, as well as three representatives from the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority, reflecting a coordinated effort to empowering local officials and support the tourism sector.

 

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Participation aimed to provide practical race management experience as part of the preparations for the 2026 SVG Sailing Week, scheduled for late March, and led by World Sailing International Race Officers Becky Ashburn and Jeff Johnson, both of whom brought elite, Olympic-level experience from the San Diego Yacht Club to the Caribbean.

The curriculum followed the World Sailing global education pathway, blending classroom theory with hands-on practical application to ensure officials can immediately apply their skills on the water.

“Race management is the foundation of great sailing events,” said Becky Ashburn, World Sailing International Race Officer. “What stood out here in SVG was the enthusiasm, commitment, and willingness to learn. These participants are building the skills that will allow local clubs and major regattas to be run safely, fairly, and to true international standards.”

Jeff Johnson further emphasised that understanding the rationale behind race management decisions is critical for the nation as it prepares to host larger, more complex international fleets.

He said, “The goal of Level 1 is to teach officials the skills they can immediately use on the water. By the end of the course, participants understand not just the ‘how’, but the ‘why’ behind race management decisions. That knowledge is critical as SVG prepares for larger international events like Sailing Week.”

The long-term impact of this training is already being felt by local organisers and volunteers who now form a nucleus of certified officials for the region. Participants like Nancy Saul-Demers of the Mayreau Junior Sailing Club noted that the course has provided the technical expertise necessary to deliver regattas that better prepare young sailors for higher-level competition.

Aina Browne of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority echoed this sentiment.

“Learning directly from Olympic level officials was an incredible experience” she said. “The training equipped local officials with the technical competencies to strengthen sailing events in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and to support the continued growth of our marine tourism sector.”

By hosting this course locally, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has taken an important step forward in ensuring that future events, including SVG Sailing Week 2026, will be delivered in line with the highest global standards.

Jenny Trumble, President of the St. Vincents and the Grenadines Sailing Association, added, “These World Sailing courses are vital to our development. We are a young Sailing Association, just six years old, and all our boats are abandoned boats donated from the UK. We have a population of 100,000 people where sailing is a heritage sport, but, though we have stunning sailing conditions, there is only a small local yachting industry, and a few seasonal charter companies, so much of what we do is starting from scratch. We have to thank Tony Bishop of QMSC and all the UK boat donators, and Nicki and Andy Thorn from Kestrel Shipping, as well as local entrepreneur Kelly Glass, helping us get this far.”

The St. Vincents and the Grenadines Sailing Association relies upon funding from the National Olympic Committee, as well as kind donations, and incredible support from the Bryan Adams Foundation which has donated towards summer sailing camps.

The collective advancement of race officials in St. Vincent and the Grenadines reinforces World Sailing’s commitment to developing race officials at both the grassroots and national levels.