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Chennai Sets Sail: Global Youth Champions Compete in India's Premier Regatta

The 11th India International Youth Sailing Championship, the country's longest-running international youth regatta, begins in Chennai on January 4th. The event will feature 117 competitors from 13 nations across five classes, including the high-speed 29er skiff and iQFOiL youth windsurfing. Tamil Nadu officials used the launch to announce plans for two new state-of-the-art Sailing Centres of Excellence, reinforcing the region's sailing dominance. The regatta, known as a proven pathway to Olympic success, will have all races streamed live globally.

Key Points: India International Youth Sailing Championship 2026 in Chennai

  • 117 sailors from 13 nations
  • Five elite youth classes including iQFOiL windsurfing
  • Stepping stone for Olympians like Isaac McHardy
  • New Sailing Centres of Excellence announced for Tamil Nadu
2 min read

India International Youth Sailing Championship to take place in Chennai from Jan 4 to 10

117 sailors from 13 nations compete Jan 4-10 in Chennai. Watch live streams of elite youth classes including 420, 29er, ILCA 4, Optimist, and iQFOiL.

"IIR is something different, a lifelong memory and a special chapter in a sailor's journey. - Thomas Chaix, Irish Sailing Coach"

Chennai, Jan 1

The 11th India International Youth Sailing Championship 2026, India's longest-running and most consistent international youth sailing regatta, was officially launched in Chennai on Thursday, and will officially take place from January 4 to 10 at the Chennai Port.

The championship, an Intellectual Property of the Tamil Nadu Sailing Association (TNSA), will feature 117 registered sailors from 13 nations competing across five elite youth classes - 420, 29er (Boys & Girls Skiff), ILCA 4 (Boys & Girls Dinghy), Optimist (Boys & Girls), and iQFOiL Youth Windsurfing (Boys & Girls).

The press conference was presided over by Dr. Atulya Misra, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, in the august presence of Thiru. J. Meganatha Reddy, IAS, Member Secretary, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), Thiru. R. Ashok Thakkar, Vice President of Yachting Association of India (YAI) & TNSA and Chairman of the IIR Organising Committee, Thiru. Mylai Prabhakar, Race Organising Committee Member, IIR, Olympian K. C. Ganapathy, Asian Sailing Championship Gold Medallist, Asian Games 2018 bronze medallist, Tokyo 2020 qualifier, and IIR Gold Medallist, Thiru. S. Jayalakshmi, National & IIR Gold Medallist, and Thiru. Vantava R, National Medallist and IIR 2026 competitor representing TNSA.

Dr. Misra and Thiru. Meganatha Reddy emphasised the merit of sailing, Tamil Nadu's dominance in the sport, and the State Government's commitment, announcing the development of two state-of-the-art sailing Centres of Excellence - one at Marina Beach, Chennai, and another in Ramanathapuram, further strengthened by SDAT's TN Olympic Water Sports vision.

TNSA also highlighted IIR's global impact as a stepping stone for U-18 sailors, citing international alumni including Isaac McHardy (New Zealand, Paris 2024 Olympic Silver Medallist) and Irish champions Sean Waddilove (Double Olympian, U23 49er World Champion), Paddy Crosbie (IIR 2012, U23 49er silver medallist), and Irish Optimist coach Peter Fagan, reflecting the event's international prestige and legacy.

Irish sailing coach Thomas Chaix, a long-standing participant since 2011, added a heartfelt quote, "IIR is something different, a lifelong memory and a special chapter in a sailor's journey - and a great excuse for coaches to reunite with friends."

All races will be streamed LIVE globally on the official YouTube channels.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone who visited Chennai last year, the Marina Beach is a perfect location for this. 117 sailors from 13 nations is impressive! The legacy of producing Olympians like Isaac McHardy shows the quality of this event. Will definitely try to catch the live stream.
P
Priya S
Wonderful initiative! But I do hope the organisers ensure proper safety measures, especially for the younger participants. The Bay of Bengal can be unpredictable. Also, hope they involve local schools for awareness – many Chennai kids don't even know such opportunities exist right in their city.
V
Vikram M
Tamil Nadu's dominance in water sports continues! From kabaddi to sailing, the state is a powerhouse. The government's commitment with the new centres is a step in the right direction. Hope other coastal states like Kerala, Gujarat, and Odisha also develop similar infrastructure.
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Rohit P
The international alumni list is seriously impressive. An event that has nurtured a Paris 2024 silver medallist is world-class. Big shoutout to TNSA for maintaining this for 11 years. That's consistency! 🇮🇳 Let's cheer for our Indian sailors!
K
Karthik V
While this is excellent, I wish there was more buzz around it in the national media. Cricket dominates everything. Our youth need to see these alternative sporting pathways. Live streaming on YouTube is a smart move to increase visibility. Will share the link with my nephews.

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