SailCoach will be supporting sailors at both the 2027 Australian ILCA National Championships and the ILCA Under 21 World Championships in Sandringham, Australia. Our Coaching Tour runs from 29th December 2026 to 18th January 2027, giving sailors the opportunity to compete in two major regattas with the support of our experienced coaching team.

The Australian Nationals provide an ideal preparation for the U21 World Championships, allowing sailors to familiarise themselves with the venue, understand the local sailing conditions and gain valuable racing experience. Our coaches will work closely with each sailor to develop their race strategy, improve boat speed and build confidence ahead of the Worlds.

Our programme is designed for ambitious ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 sailors, whether aiming for a top championship result or gaining valuable experience as part of their long-term development. We offer small coaching groups, with a target of six sailors per coach, ensuring individual attention and support throughout both events.

During the regattas, SailCoach provides comprehensive coaching support both on and off the water, including daily weather briefings, race strategy, technical advice, video analysis and post-race debriefs. Our aim is to take care of the practical details, allowing sailors to concentrate on their racing and perform at their best.

With over 30 years of international coaching experience, SailCoach has developed a reputation for helping sailors prepare for and compete at major championships. Our Coaching Tours combine professional coaching, accommodation and logistical support, creating an environment where sailors can focus on improving their performance and achieving their goals.

Learning Goals

At this Championship, the SailCoach team will focus on improving your regatta preparation skills. Our coaches will work with you daily, setting up a structured plan and goals for the upcoming regatta. You’ll learn important details about preparing for events, ensuring you’re informed and ready.

Additionally, our coaches will teach you how to adapt to different weather conditions and handle the pressures of high-level competition. A big part of this will be developing and using effective race strategies. You’ll get better at analysing races and refining your tactics, with our coaches giving you helpful feedback and showing you how to assess your own performance. This coaching will prepare you to compete like leading athletes prepare.

Success in sports doesn’t happen overnight, it requires a lot of time and effort. With our coaching, you will have learned the right ways to prepare for a championship. Therefore, we recommend you continue to train and compete regularly to hone these techniques and skills.

A typical day

The day would start with a morning briefing, looking over the weather forecasting and communicating anything important from the coaches meeting and specific points to note for the days racing. The SailCoach coaches will offer you coaching support afloat, such as towing if necessary to get to the starting line. Carry any bags with food and spare parts, along with a jacket to keep warm between races.

The day finishes with a post-race debrief and discussion of the day’s events. In some cases, our coaches will make briefings individually, going around the boat park before or after racing, depending on the circumstances. We advise our sailors to settle any differences on the water or in the boat park when possible. However, we will be there to support you during protests if all else fails.

Numbers will be limited on this coaching tour, so you are advised to book early.

Program:

2027 Australian Nationals & ILCA Under 21 World Championships

29th December 2026 – Arrival Day

Arrive at Melbourne Airport (MEL) and make your way to Sandringham, where SailCoach’s coaching team will welcome you and help you settle in. Our staff will assist with accommodation arrangements and getting familiar with the sailing venue, ensuring everything is ready for the training and racing ahead.

30th December 2026 – 2nd January 2027 – Training and Familiarisation

Our programme begins with training at the championship venue, giving sailors an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the local conditions and race areas before the Australian Nationals.

Our experienced coaches will focus on boat speed, technique, race strategy and developing a clear game plan for the upcoming regattas. Video analysis and daily briefings will help sailors identify areas for improvement and build confidence ahead of racing.

3rd – 8th January 2027 – Australian ILCA National Championships

The Australian Nationals provide an excellent opportunity to compete against some of the best sailors in Australia and internationally while preparing for the U21 World Championships.

SailCoach will provide comprehensive coaching support throughout the regatta, including daily weather briefings, race strategy, on-water assistance and post-race debriefs.

This competitive experience will help sailors identify areas to improve and fine tune their performance before the main event.

12th – 17th January 2027 – ILCA Under 21 World Championships

The main event begins! Six days of competitive racing against some of the world’s best young ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 sailors.

Throughout the championship, SailCoach’s experienced coaching team will provide comprehensive support both on and off the water. From morning weather briefings and race strategy to on-water assistance and daily debriefs, our aim is to help every sailor perform at their best.

Whether you’re competing for a podium finish or gaining valuable international championship experience, we’ll be there to support you every step of the way.

18th January 2027 – Departure Day

After an exciting few weeks of training and racing, it’s time to make your way to Melbourne Airport (MEL) for your journey home.

Hopefully, you’ll be heading home with a trophy or two, but regardless of the results, you’ll have gained valuable experience, improved your racing skills and made memories that will stay with you for years to come.

ILCA Under 21 Worlds Coaching Tour Package

As mentioned above, we can offer you our total package for the Australian Nationals and U21 World Championship, which includes airport transfers, accommodation, pre-training and venue familiarisation prior to the championship, help with registration and measurement and our world-class coaching. On top of this, you would need to budget for flights, entry fees, ILCA Dinghy charter, meal expenses and pocket money.

There is a “day coaching” option for the young sailors who would like to stay with their parents and have our coaching staff look after everything on the water.

Charter Boat Options
See event website