The 2024 Youth World Championship, hosted in the stunning venue of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, brought together the world’s most talented young sailors to showcase skill, determination, sportsmanship, and culture. Organized by World Sailing in partnership with the Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina, the event was a landmark event in youth match racing, offering pristine conditions, state-of-the-art facilities, and the opportunity to experience a relatively unfamiliar culture for most teams competing. Furthermore, this was a special event for me because it was the first youth match race event I have been unable to compete in since 2016, marking my transition from competitor to coach for youth events. I can no longer sail because I have aged out of eligibility to compete. My role this year instead was to coach the U.S. Team, Callahan Racing, skippered by Justin Callahan along with members Mitchell Callahan, Michael Kirkman, Marbella Marlo, and Spencer Kriegstein throughout the event to offer advice, guidance, and experience to the sailors.
Jeddah’s Red Sea coastline provided an ideal backdrop for the championship. The Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina, with its new fleet of Fareast 28Rs, strategic location, and beautiful aesthetics, made for some epic racing and photo backdrops. The Sailing conditions were as good as any sailor could ask for. It would generally start with light morning conditions from the north, building to an oscillating 14-18 kts in the afternoons with building chop reverberating off the sea wall. These conditions made for very tactical downwinds and challenged the team’s ability to place gybes and moderate between VMG and planning conditions. The upwinds demanded boat speed superiority to get through the chop, given the lightweight nature of the boats.
The U.S. team sailed exceptionally well, showcasing both their technical capabilities and their determination to learn throughout the event. As their coach, I had the privilege of witnessing their progress, from the early rounds to a thrilling battle in the quarterfinals. Callahan Racing demonstrated strong starts throughout the regatta, demonstrating their match racing prowess, often securing advantageous positions off the line and being able to hold their opponents to the lay line and or herding them to the unfavored side of the course. The team rounded ahead at every windward mark of every race, but failed to maintain the lead in a few races on the final downwind. Each race brought lessons, whether it was adapting to shifting winds or refining boat handling. The team snagged an epic finish, tied for 3rd out of the round-robin with a record of 7-4. This gave the team the option to pick their opponent in the quarterfinal. The team elected to sail Josh Hyde’s team from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. Unfortunately, the US team lost 0-3, and was relegated to a final position of 5th/12 for the event. Despite the scoreline, the quarterfinals were a testament to the team’s resilience and fighting spirit. They battled fiercely against very well-practiced and seasoned teams, leaving it all on the water and earning the respect of peers and spectators alike, losing races only just after leading earlier in the race.
Coaching at this level was both humbling and inspiring. Transitioning from athlete to mentor allowed me to see the sport from a different perspective. Watching the sailors develop their skills, make strategic decisions, and grow as individuals reminded me of why I fell in love with sailing in the first place. Throughout the event, my focus was on fostering an empathetic and supportive environment where the sailors could thrive under pressure while still finding joy in the competition. Moments of shared victories, post-race debriefs, and even the occasional frustration were all part of the experience, reinforcing the bonds within our team.
The 2024 Youth World Championship in Jeddah was a remarkable event, both for the level of competition it hosted and the exposure to a new culture offered by the event organizers. One of the most enriching aspects of this event was the opportunity to experience Saudi culture. From the warm hospitality extended to us by the local organizers and residents to the breathtaking sights of Jeddah’s vibrant cityscape and coastline, it was a privilege to immerse myself in a culture so rich in history and tradition. The blend of modernity and heritage in Jeddah was striking. Visiting the historic Al-Balad district, sampling local cuisine, and interacting with members of the local sailing community deepened my appreciation for the country and its people. This cultural exchange added a unique dimension to the championship, making it more than just a sailing competition—it was a meaningful global experience.
For the U.S. team, it was a journey of growth and resilience, marked by hard-fought battles and invaluable lessons. As I reflect on my role as a coach, I am filled with pride for the athletes I had the privilege to coach. Their determination and camaraderie exemplified the best of what youth sailing represents. While the results may not fully reflect their effort, the experience they gained and the memories they created will undoubtedly fuel their future successes.
I would like to thank the Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation (NHSF) as well as Balboa Yacht Club’s Maritime Sciences and Seamanship Foundation (MSSF) for their support of Team USA and Callahan Racing for this event. Without their support, I would not have been able to attend this event and for that I am truly grateful. These foundations are instrumental to youth sailing as they provide support for youth sailors so that they can travel and represent their clubs and countries around the world. The work that they do ensures that the next generation of sailors are able to develop their skills in new venues and boats so that they can work towards carrying on the tradition of sailing excellence in the United States.