Final African training camp sets the scene for next month’s Youth Olympic Games

It was the largest camp of the four, bringing together 14 athletes and nine coaches from Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Madagascar, Morocco, Libya, Senegal and Tunisia meeting at the Port of Sidi Fredj, with Raceboard Masters World Champion Maksymilian Wojcik from Poland leading the camp as the specialist coach from Techno293 class. 

Maksymilian Wojcik said, “Being part of this programme has been a really special experience for me. The camp in Algeria was not only about improving the athletes, but also about sharing ideas, learning from each other and seeing how much passion there is for sailing across Africa. I have to admit; I didn’t fully see the big picture until I experienced these camps myself. Now I can’t imagine the project stopping here! I strongly believe we often overestimate what we can achieve in one year and underestimate what can be achieved in ten. 

The potential is huge, but it needs time, continuity and a little bit of gentle reinforcement along the way. Everyone involved — both those organising the programme and those taking part — deserves a lot of credit. For me, the next natural step would be to create a regular African competition circuit, giving these nations more opportunities to race, travel and develop together. I really hope we can see that happen in the near future. It would be pretty cool to watch where this could go!” 

Frida Sethom from Tunisia, said, “To be part of the Youth Olympic Games is big, and it is a part of my journey to be – maybe – part of the Olympic Games. This is very important to me. I look up to Sarah-Quita Offringa (ARU) who does wave windsurfing, slalom, slalom mix and freestyle. She is my idol as a female windsurfer so to be able to emulate her would be a huge achievement.”

The majority of participating athletes now move straight into final preparation to represent their nation at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, marking the close of a year-long development pathway across the continent.

The camp was organised by World Sailing and the Algerian Sailing Federation with funding from the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Solidarity through their Athlete Development Programme. 

Tahe Outdoor Sports generously provided 12 Techno293 boards for the sailors to use for this and the previous three training camps, and for the athletes to use for training back home in the lead up to the Youth Olympic Games, and expert coaches from Techno 293 Class gave their time to support the programme in making a substantial contribution to the ongoing development of competitive sailing in Africa. 

Images courtesy of the Algerian Sailing Federation.