300 young sailors expected at the Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship

Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship © Zhik

Tallinna Yacht Club brings one of the biggest sports events of the summer to Haven Kakumäe - 300 young sailors expected at the Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship, plus just as many supporters on shore!

The 2025 Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship will take place from 21st - 26th July under the leadership of Tallinna Yacht Club (TJK) at one of the most modern harbours on the Baltic Sea - Haven Kakumäe.

This year's regatta will be the largest of its kind ever hosted in Tallinn, welcoming around 300 youth sailors under the age of 19 from eight Nordic sailing nations: Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

In addition to the athletes, over 300 supporters - coaches, parents and friends - are expected to attend. With five youth boat classes represented (Optimist, ILCA4, ILCA6, Zoom8 and 29er), this will be one of the most widely attended Nordic Youth Championships in the last decade.

The title sponsor of this year's championship is Zhik, a globally respected sailing apparel and gear manufacturer from Australia, whose innovative products are trusted by both young athletes and top professionals around the world.

"For Zhik, being a title sponsor is not just about logo visibility - we want to be true partners, contributing meaningfully to the development of young sailors. We believe that 'Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship' not only sounds professional, but also helps elevate the quality and visibility of the regatta," said Johannes Polgar, representative of Zhik.

To bring the event atmosphere alive, a dedicated regatta village will be built at Haven Kakumäe, featuring:

• Opening and award ceremonies
• Catering and entertainment for athletes
• Large-screen live race broadcasts, providing a thrilling experience for spectators on shore - even for those new to sailing

The regatta will also be covered extensively on social media in a youth-friendly format, with live coverage streamed from the water to the shore.

"This regatta is more than just a competition - it's the starting line for Olympic dreams," said TJK Commodore Harri Mikk.

"Olympian Karl-Martin Rammo, who competed in four Olympic Games in the ILCA7 class, began his journey in youth classes like Optimist, Zoom8 and ILCA. Likewise, TJK athletes Anna Pohlak (ILCA6), and Anna-Maria Sepp & Kätlin Tammiste (49erFX) have proudly represented Estonia at the Olympics."

As the largest youth sailing academy in Estonia with over 150 sailors, Tallinna Yacht Club is proud to host such a prestigious international regatta for its own youth. Among them are Helen Pais and Helen Ausman, current members of the "Young Talents to the Olympics" program, who gained their first international experience at the Nordic Youth Championships.

"We're grateful to TJK for creating an environment where young sailors can thrive in international competition. Competing at this level, in home waters, is an invaluable experience on the road to the Olympics," said Helen Pais and Helen Ausman.

While the Nordic Youth Championships have historically focused on the strong Optimist fleet, this year's standout feature is the impressive number of entries in the ILCA4 and ILCA6 classes - key Olympic development categories. In the double-handed 29er class, teams from three countries will compete, providing an important testing ground for those aspiring to move into the Olympic 49er/FX classes. Additionally, Zoom8 sailors will compete for medals awarded by TJK.

Racing will take place on two separate courses, both clearly visible from the long breakwater at Kakumäe. Everyone is invited to enjoy the international sailing spectacle at the regatta village and cheer for their home teams!

We are extremely grateful to the supporters and partners who have already made significant contributions to this event: Zhik, Tallinn - European Capital of Sport 2025, the Estonian Cultural Endowment, Liviko, Haven Kakumäe, Tallink, Metropol Hotel, Duco Hotels, and several private sponsors.