Introducing the 2025 Youth Sailing World Championships GBR Team

Sixteen of the nation’s top young sailors have been selected to represent Great Britain at the prestigious Youth Sailing World Championships in Vilamoura, Portugal, taking place 12–20 December 2025.

The British Sailing Youth Team will take on the best sailors from around the globe, competing across 11 events in six classes: 29er, 420, ILCA 6, Nacra 15, Formula Kite, and iQFOiL. The Championships mirror the Olympic format, bringing together the world’s top youth athletes in male, female, and mixed categories for fair, level competition.

For some, it will be a first taste of the Youth Worlds, while others return with valuable experience under their belts—united in their ambition to bring home results for Great Britain.

“It’s every young sailors dream to take part in the youth worlds. For me it’s a privilege and an achievement from all the years of hard work.” said Freddie MacLaverty (ILCA 6 - Red Wharf Bay Sailing & Watersports Club).

Amelie Hiscocks (29er Female - Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy) said “Qualifying for the Youth Worlds means a huge amount to me... it’s an exciting chance to represent GBR on the international stage. It also motivates me to keep pushing forward, knowing this experience is an important step towards my long-term ambitions.”

The Youth Sailing World Championships represent the pinnacle of the youth pathway, with strict age criteria for sailors aged over 12 and under 19. A springboard for Olympic and professional sailing careers, many former Youth Worlds participants have gone on to achieve Olympic glory—including the world’s most decorated sailor Sir Ben Ainslie .

“Watching these young sailors come together as a team is incredibly exciting,” said Oli Woodcock, RYA Youth Racing Manager. “They’ve trained hard all year, pushed themselves in their class, and shown real dedication to their sport. Competing at the Youth Worlds is about more than results—it’s about learning, growing, and experiencing the thrill of representing Great Britain on the world stage. I have no doubt this team will make the country proud.”

Full details of this year's team below:

ILCA 6

Jessica Powell (Draycote Water SC) described her selection as “amazing,” reflecting years of dedication to her ILCA sailing. The U17 Female winner at the 2025 ILCA 6 UK Nationals, Jessica hopes the experience will boost her confidence as she balances her final year of GCSEs with her sailing ambitions.

Freddie MacLaverty (Red Wharf Bay SC) added, “It’ll be a great learning experience mentally and physically, while building friendships along the way.” A member of the Welsh Sailing Team, Freddie has been racing since age 8 and has progressed through the Tera and ILCA 4 fleets and has since spent three years in ILCA 6, claiming the ILCA6 Under 19 championship title in August.  

29er

For Lila Edwards (Parkstone YC), selection represents a milestone: “Being part of this team is not just about taking part in a race— it’s about camaraderie that comes from teamwork as well as personal growth that comes from striving to keep doing better. On the sailing side, it’s the biggest sailing arena I will compete on to date, against the best female sailors in the world.” Lila has been sailing since age three, claiming victories including at the British Optimist Nationals (2022) and the 2025 British 29er Nationals.

Amelie Hiscocks (WPSNA) echoed the excitement: ’Qualifying for the Youth Worlds means a huge amount to me—it’s a reward for the hard work and progress I’ve made. I'm also excited to be part of the wider GBR team—sharing the experience, supporting each other, and learning together. Amelie has Olympic aspirations, having previously finished 2nd female in the 29ers at the 2024 Europeans and having won the female national title twice.

Having sailed together since 2019, 29er sailors Jac Bailey (Port Dinorwic SC) and Ben Sinfield (Port Dinorwic SC) bring further depth to the GBR team, combining strong national performances with Jac aspiring for a full-time sailing career. The duo recently won this year’s prestigious RYA Youth Nationals and are the current 29er National Champions. For Ben in particular, anticipation is already building claiming “The event is like no other and I’m looking forward to seeing what it has to offer.”  

420

The GBR 420 team features returning stars Merle Nieuwland (Cardiff Bay YC) and Sabine Potter (Warsash SC). Merle highlighted the significance of her second Youth Worlds: “It feels like the perfect way to end our four-year 420 career.” Sabine added, “Being part of this team will bring lessons for my sailing from top-level coaches coming along with us and from other competitors in the regatta.”

Rising talents Ralph Cawthorne (Shustoke SC) and Harry George (Lymington Town SC) complete the 420 male squad, bringing national titles and international experience. The pair are joint two-time under 17 national champions in the 420 class with Harry commenting: “Our hard work over the past four years has paid off, and we have finally reached the top of our game.”

Nacra 15

Maddie Jinks (Plym YC) and Marcus King (Weston SC / Warsash SC) will represent GBR in Nacra 15, with both sailors eager to challenge themselves against the world’s best. Maddie noted: “Qualifying for this year’s team is a huge honour— It will be an amazing opportunity to learn, push myself and enjoy the challenge of sailing in Vilamoura.” Marcus added, “Qualifying has meant a great deal this year... it is something I have always wanted to do since I started sailing in Nacra’s 3 years ago.”

iQFOiL

Sophie Clark (Portsmouth Andrew Simpson SC) and Alexander Meadway (Parkstone Yacht Club) bring expertise in foil sailing. Sophie said: “Competing at this level will push me forwards technically and mentally, giving me confidence for future international competitions.” Alexander described the event as “a doorway into bigger things and a really rewarding achievement to have been selected.”

Formula Kite

GBR’s kite team includes returning athlete Emma Rennie (Parkstone YC) and newcomer Ben Field (Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy). Emma is thrilled to compete among familiar friends, aiming for a podium finish, while Ben reflected: “Making the team shows the hard work has paid off— I’m really looking forward to lining up against the best U19 sailors in the world.”