Today concluded the final day of racing at the 2025 Youth Sailing World Championships held in Vilamoura, Portugal. Many future stars find their way to the top of the sport through the Youth Worlds, including sailing legends such as Russell Coutts (NZL), Robert Scheidt (BRA) and Ben Ainslie (GBR). Congratulations are extended to the winners in all 11 events.

This year, in the ILCA 6 events, Bahamians Eliza Denning (Lyford Cay International School) and Norman Cartwright Jr (Roger Williams University and former youth sailor at the Bahamas National Sailing School) represented The Bahamas for the second consecutive year, having qualified as top Bahamians at the ILCA 6 Youth Worlds held earlier in the year in Los Angeles.

After 9 races were sailed in all possible conditions, Eliza finished in 23rd place overall (out of 50 sailors) and Norman in 41st (of 57 competitors) in the ILCA 6 Female and Male Dinghy events. Eliza’s finish is the best performance by any Bahamian at this event.

““I’m very proud of our sailors who held their own, with significantly less experience than the European, South American and Oceania competitors, especially in the open ocean, big wave conditions of Vilamoura.”

— Lori Lowe, BSA President

Lori Lowe, President of the Bahamas Sailing Association commented “I’m very proud of our sailors who held their own, with significantly less experience than the European, South American and Oceania competitors, especially in the open ocean, big wave conditions of Vilamoura. Eliza finished ahead of competitors from large powerhouse nations such as USA, UK, Canada and Mexico and finished as the top female Caribbean competitor in this event.

Norman’s finish should be celebrated also. His training opportunities over the last 3 months have been significantly impacted by his university studies and the fact that he has been largely training without a coach. He nevertheless finished in the top half of the Caribbean nations at this event and also beat competitors from much larger nations, notably Chile, Mexico and China.”

Bahamian ILCA Coach, Niels Broekhuizen who accompanied the sailors to Portugal, observed “This event has been an important checkpoint in our long-term pathway toward the next Pan American Games and beyond. It gives a very honest picture of where we currently stand - not only as a Bahamian team, but within the wider regional sailing landscape.

“Most importantly, our sailors do not lack ability - they lack confidence that comes from repeated exposure at this level”

— Bahamas ILCA Coach Niels Broekhuizen

To take our sailors to the next level, we now need a more targeted, athlete-centered approach. High potential sailors need regular exposure to large, high-quality international fleets (40-50 boats). These fleets are rarely available in our region, but they are where decision-making, resilience and consistency are built.

Most importantly, our sailors do not lack ability - they lack confidence that comes from repeated exposure at this level. If Bahamian athletes are to realistically pursue Olympic ambitions - and peform at that level - we need to act now. Early, coordinated investment is essential to ensure not only qualification for 2028, but meaningful performance once there.

Full statement from Coach Niels Broekhuizen available here.

Full results: Youth Sailing World Championships - Results