Mr. Scott Over, Commercial Director of World Sailing, Ms. Li Li, Managing Director of China Sports & Communications International Co Ltd., Mr. Aaron Young the Commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Mr. Bruno Giuntoli, Operations Director of Foiling Week and Mr. Luca Rizzotti, Founder and President of Foiling Week, met on live streaming to announce the guidelines of the Foiling Youth World Series, a multi-class team championship created by Foiling Week and dedicated to the new foiling generations of the world. The announcement session was coordinated by sailing journalist and New York Times correspondent Chris Museler.
FYWS will be a team competition of foiling boats and will be dedicated to young sailors with the aim of training future professionals. The sailors will be part of teams representing the most influential sailing clubs competing for a world title. In 2023 the series will begin with 4 to 5 events which will take place in stunning locations around the globe.
FYWS will actively promote and support diversity and inclusion, sustainability and safety, all values for which Foiling Week is considered a benchmark. The new event will have a huge onshore program rich with initiatives. Guests and audiences will have the chance to try the boats, see technology exhibitions, as well as participate in conferences and use the latest virtual simulators.
The racing classes will be selected amongst: Moth, WASZP or FD Switch, Nacra 15, Wingfoil, Kite Foil IKA and Persico 69F.
Entries will be open to entities such as yacht clubs, sailing professional teams, MNAs (both as single entities or as group of entities). Each entry will include sailors in every sailing class represented for a total of 7 participants, between 16 and 24 years old, of which at least 50% must be women.
The series will pay particular attention to fundamental themes for the future of the sport. On one hand, young sailors will be able to train and access the best opportunities to then professionally demonstrate their talent and skills, on the other hand, the series will adopt fixed criteria in gender equity for all events from day one.
A list of 10 possible hosting locations is being explored, evaluated and selected in North America, Europe, Middle East, China, New Zealand and Australia.
Foiling Week is one of the signatories of the World Sailing Special Events Sustainability Charter and is consequently committed to respect and promote the dictates of environmental sustainability and protection, gender equality, social commitment, transparency and to promptly and clearly report all the discrepancies found.
Foiling Week is running its 9th edition this week on Lake Garda in Italy and is the first and only global event dedicated to amazingly fast foiling boats, to their sailors, designers and manufacturers. It is one amongst the only 8 Special Events nominated by World Sailing, which represent the pinnacle of the sport including the America's Cup, SailGP, The Ocean Race, World Match Racing Tour, PWA World Tour, Star Sailors League and GKA Kite World Tour.
Efficient procedures and standards for safety to avoid accidents on the racecourse will be developed by FYWS organizers as well as specific foiling oriented workshops on water safety in order to support ribs and coaches. Series data will be included in the ongoing scientific academic study on "injury prevention research in foiling".
Massive attention will be given to all onshore activities. A masterclass program is being created and will include sessions on foiling basics and physics, boat building and repairs, and class specific "playbooks", while workshops will focus on hands-on boat works, foiling boat set-up theory, splicing, set up and optimization.
FWYS is committed to leaving a lasting legacy of inclusion and performance in sport at each event. A plan of locally based initiatives will continuously complement grassroots sailing through mentoring, data analysis coaching from events and training sessions, foiling specific physical training including injury avoidance, mental coaching, dietary planning and follow up.
The FYWS events will also have secondary, post-racing follow-up based upon the two weeks-long programs. With the meaningful goal of developing the local foiling scene, it will be possible to experience foiling trials and coaching for a week after the event. Boats from the fleet could even remain at the event location and be lent to local Yacht Clubs who prove commitment.
Scott Over, Commercial Director of World Sailing
"Foiling Week has become a key partner of World Sailing and we are working together to promote and develop sailing through their Special Event Status. This next step in their evolution, the launch of the Foiling Youth World Series, exemplifies many of our goals in sustainability, inclusivity and diversity, and the growth of our sport. We at World Sailing will continue to support this great organization as they grow and benefit sailors and the communities they touch."
Li Li, Managing Director of China Sports & Communications International Co Ltd.
"This cooperation has really provided a great opportunity for all of us to commit to the strategic development of youth foiling community around the globe together. The mission is to organize a series of dedicated events to promote foiling as a sport and to organize training programs and practice events to give local sailors and community the chance to foil with the goal of creating a legacy for the future".
Aaron Young, Commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron
"The Foiling World Series events present a great and unique opportunity for our future sailors to experience the world of foiling. The pathway is so important for clubs like the RNZYS to help bridge that gap between club sailing and professional sailing at a high level. The Foiling week series has given that next generation of both females and males a fun and exciting steppingstone from youth sailing at clubs to reaching the highest level in our sport – what an amazing opportunity".
Bruno Giuntoli, Operations Director of Foiling Week
"I think that the Youth Series will be a perfect path to professional sailing. We have been working on the series planning on every aspect for quite some time and, as an engineer, I can't leave anything to chance. With the support of our partners and stakeholders, now it's time to go on field and start verifying all our insights. I'm extremely excited and confident".
Luca Rizzotti, Founder and President of Foiling Week
"Look around, foiling will soon be the most popular way to go sailing. We, at Foiling Week, explore its boundaries, segments, trends, and population since 2013. It's huge. I think it is very clear that we stick to our motto, connect, cooperate, change: Foiling Week team is cooperating with Yacht Clubs and Federations around the world to accelerate foiling diffusion. From Jeddah Yacht Club and Saudi Sailing Federation, to China Sports & Industry Group and to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron we are happy to engage with all passionate entities.
The Series project is basically a new pathway of sailing that goes along with the Olympics and the Ocean racing. A long-term idea conceived and designed for future generations. The best and most relevant Yacht Clubs in the world are joining the Series. We have already quite a few requests. Year one will start with 10 teams so, if anybody wants to join just call us now, there are not many places left".