British Sailing Team launches development academy

The British Sailing Team has launched the British Sailing Squad, a new development academy aimed at developing the Olympic stars of the future.

An apprenticeship to the senior British Sailing Team, the British Sailing Squad will give talented young sailors a taste of Olympic campaigning and the opportunity to perform on the international stage.

Sailors will get to train alongside British Sailing Team athletes, as well as access the team’s world-class performance services at its base in Portland, Dorset.

The RYA says the British Sailing Squad will form a key part of its RYA performance pathway, which aims to nurture, develop and retain talented young racing sailors from Junior level with Regional Training Groups to squads at Youth level.

“For any young sailor with dreams of competing at the Olympics, the British Sailing Squad is an exciting new addition to our performance pathway,” says RYA performance pathway manager Jack Grundy, who heads up the British Sailing Squad.

“Sailors will get to train alongside – and learn from – the senior British Sailing Team, and benefit from dedicated coaching on and off the water from the BST’s support team.

“We’re really excited to launch the British Sailing Squad, and follow the development of these talented young racers.”

To earn a spot in the British Sailing Squad, young sailors need to achieve performances close to or within the top 50 per cent of an international senior fleet. Podium performances at age level may also be considered.

The British Sailing Squad athlete list will be released in January 2023.