The annual Youth Sailing World Championships started in 16^th July with 382 sailors aged between 16 and 19. The sailors took part from 66 nations of Corpus Christi Bay in Texas. The competition is a pinnacle event mainly for young sailors aspiring to reach Olympics or pursue a career in America’s Cup. Some of the winners in the past have reached greater heights and they are Ben Ainslie of Great Britain, and Russell Coutts and Peter Burling from New Zealand.

Among the 9 events, there are few medalists from last year in the regatta this time. One of the most renowned competitions includes the Boy’s Laser Radial. It is indeed the largest as there are 58 entrants at the regatta. Guido Gallinaro, the bronze medalist from Italy returns, this time to go on top of the podium as he finished 6 points off the victory last year. In addition, there are others from top 10 namely Josh Armit from New Zealand and Tiago Quevedo from Brazil.

From the Girl’s RS: X, Giorgia Speciale is all hopeful to win the gold medal as she lost last year. Emma Wilson, from Great Britain tried hard but lost the medal and she reached 2^nd position. Speciale is the only one contestant from the top 10. The Boy’s RS: X remains open with no contestant of last year making a reentry. Max Van Der Zalm from New Zealand is the only competitor who was in the top 10. Besides, Poland’s Aleksander Przychodzi, Cristobal Hagerman from Mexico, Alexander Halank from Australia and Belgium’s Thomas Broucke are other returnees.

The French gold medalists may not return this time and as a result, the door remains open. The Italian Skipper Federico Zampiccoli makes an entry with new team Leonardo Chiste and hopes to improve last year’s performance. The countdown has indeed begun.