Across five days of racing following months of preparation, the Youth Sailing World Championships 2024 has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to sustainability.

In partnership with the Italian Sailing Federation and Trentino, initiatives across all six clubs have all contributed to reducing waste and fossil fuel consumption.

Education around sustainability specific to sailing and beyond broadened the next generation’s knowledge, the future of making the sport even greener.

Here are five ways the Youth Sailing World Championships 2024 championed sustainability on Lake Garda:

Sustainability education

In partnership with One Ocean Foundation and the University of Trento, guest speakers hosted an engaging session on the importance of protecting open water and its ecosystems.

Professor Fambri presented his project on the presence of microplastic pollution in Lake Garda recorded using Seabins.

The evening was rounded off with a quiz to test the sailors’ knowledge with America’s Cup prizes on offer for the winners.

Equipment recycling hub

In collaboration with Circular Flow, youth sailors were given the opportunity to recycle their old wetsuits in an initiative that will benefit the sport for years to come.

Neoprene material, which wetsuits are made from, is hard to recycle. But Circular Flow give the materials a second life transforming wetsuits into yoga mats, clothing, bags and mats.

To say thank you those who recycled their wetsuits were offered 40% off coral reef safe sunscreen brand stream2sea, further fostering the sustainability of sailing.

Electric ribs

All race management ribs on the 29er racecourse were electric, a first for a World Sailing event.

The innovation has the potential to transform on water sustainability of coaching and officiating within the sport.

Based at the Circolo Vela Arco club and led by Michele ‘Mike’ Giorgini and VSR RIBs, the 29er class at the event was accompanied by all-electric rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) for the first time in its history.

Eco-marks

All courses were controlled by eco-marks which could be geolocated using a GPS signal. Over 30 eco-marks were used for the event preventing anchor and chain scarring on the lake floor and damage to surrounding ecosystems.

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Clean Regattas Platinum Level

The Youth Sailing World Championships 2024 is aiming to achieve the Platinum Level of Clean Regattas programme by Sailors for the Sea. This targets 20 best practices for on-water event sustainability, including eliminating single use items, proper waste management system with clear signage, along with eco-smart management techniques.

Since the programme’s inception in 2006, over 3,400 events have shown their commitment to sustainability by hosting Clean Regattas. The programme has reached over 850,000 sailors and attendees in 53 countries.