Bahamas Showcases Potential at ILCA 6 YOUTH WORLDS

The sun has set on the ILCA 6 Youth World Championships held 28 July - 4 August, 2025 in San Pedro, Los Angeles, which will also be the 2028 Olympic venue.  It was the first time The Bahamas sent a team of youth sailors to this world-class event and the podiums reflected the diversity and depth of talent in the class, with a wide range of countries represented.

Bahamas ILCA coach Niels Broekhuizen (who himself is a multi-time ILCA national champion (Netherlands) with a PB ranking of 6th in the world), noted:

“We had a lot of young sailors on our team and whilst some of the team lacked international exposure at this highest level of youth competition, it was fantastic exposure for the Bahamas and a great opportunity to see where we are.  Regionally (compared to the USA and Canada) we did quite well but the rest of the World, in particular Europe, is not standing still.

17-year old Eliza Denning was our top Bahamian finisher at both the ILCA 4 and ILCA 6 Youth Worlds (finishing 11th & 14th respectively), and showcased how far not only she has come personally but also the potential of our young team. In the last couple of years, The Bahamas has become a talent hub and I would like to recognise the clubs and coaches in our Optimist fleets for shaping our junior sailors into racers.’’

Lori Lowe, President of the Bahamas Sailing Association added, “As a country, we need to focus on growing our junior fleet and to develop sailing pathways further, ensuring sailing is accessible to all Bahamians. We are optimistic that we will have at least one sailor at the 2028 Olympics and we thank and continue to encourage the government and corporate Bahamas to support our youth sailing programs”.

On behalf of the Bahamas Olympic Committee, the BSA is also pleased to announce that Joshua Higgins and Eliza Denning will represent The Bahamas in the Olympic class events (ILCA 7 and ILCA 6, respectively) at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games being held August, 9-23, 2025 in the Dominican Republic.

Bahamas final results at 2025 ILCA 6 Youth World Championships:

Youth Women (fleet of 81)

  • Eliza Denning (age 17) - 14th overall (only Bahamian to qualify for Gold Fleet)

  • Mary Jac Nash (age 15) - 62nd overall (13th in the U17 category)

  • Sienna Jones (age 15) - 75th overall (16th in the U17 category)

Youth Men (fleet of 140)

  • Norman Cartwright Jr (age 18) - 95th overall (top finish of 3rd in Silver Fleet)

  • Johannes Maritz (age 16) - 134th overall

  • Erik Jensen (age 15) - 140th overall

Amanda Maritz