Skip To Content

Olympic Academy

Key information about the transition from Youth to Olympic Classes 

Who should consider this pathway? 

This pathway is for sailors progressing from the Youth pathway, or already competing in one of the Olympic classes: ILCA 6, ILCA 7, 49er, 49erFX or 470 Mixed. Sailors should have the potential, commitment and ambition to develop towards international U21 or U23 performance and be ready to engage with the standards required to progress towards future Olympic campaigning. 

Sailors must also be eligible to represent Great Britain in accordance with World Sailing Regulation 19 and be members of the RYA. 

What are my next steps? 

Transitioning from Youth racing into Olympic-class competition can be challenging. The Olympic Academy provides structured support for sailors developing towards international U21 and U23 performance in Olympic classes, with the British Sailing Squad forming the next stage of the pathway for sailors progressing towards senior international performance. 

  • Olympic Academy 
  • British Sailing Squad (known as 'BSS') 

Olympic Academy Programme 

The Olympic Academy is a high-performance development programme for sailors aiming to compete internationally at U21 level in ILCA 6 women and ILCA 7 men, or at U23 level in 49er, 49erFX and 470 Mixed. It supports the development of the skills, behaviours, physical capabilities and performance standards required to progress towards the British Sailing Squad, British Sailing Team and a future Olympic campaign. 

Sailors selected for the programme will access coaching within a high-performance environment, individual development planning, performance education and class-specific support. The programme combines core multiclass camps, class-specific coaching and full-squad development opportunities across the year. 

The programme usually runs from September to March, with a key selection point in spring. Following this, selected sailors or teams may be supported to attend identified international events during the spring and summer. 

There are also other ways to begin transitioning into Olympic classes, including through Class Associations, club and class coaching activity, and relevant performance training opportunities. 

Applications for the Autumn/Winter 2026–27 Olympic Academy programme open at 09:00 on 6 July 2026 and close at 09:00 on 3 August 2026. 

Full details of the selection process, eligibility requirements and selection criteria are set out in the Olympic Academy Notice of Selection 

The British Sailing Squad 

This squad is seen as the next stage after the ODHA programme 'An Olympic class apprenticeship.' to allow sailors the opportunity to break into the top half in the World Class Programme. Sailors will be invited to this squad, dependent on their development, progression and demonstration of performances within the top 50% of an international senior fleet. 

Podium performances at the age group may also gain consideration. This programme is designed to help sailors progress and deliver sailing performances that could be considered for selection into the British Sailing Team. It is assumed that the sailors in the British Sailing Squad will be of a standard to train with the British Sailing Team if required. 

Selection is made by the Athlete Performance Review Panel, and an annual review of all athletes will take place each year at the end of the summer competition season. Additional reviews may take place quarterly, but any changes to the Athlete Performance Award (APA) Level resulting from quarterly reviews will be made by exception. The panel will consider sailors’ performances, progression and potential aligned to the British Sailing Team performance model. 

All programmes are designed and prioritised based on performance gaps and class strategies. Each programme of support and days on the water will vary per class depending on the priority of the class. 

Contact: 

Performance Pathway Officer - sarah.marjoram@rya.org.uk