Sustainability Award to Sail Africa

Cowes, UK (December 2, 2021) – In a virtual ceremony streamed live from the Royal Yacht Squadron, the World Sailing 11th Hour Racing Sustainability Award went to the Sail Africa Youth Development Foundation for increasing the participation of ethnically diverse and female sailors in Durban, South Africa.

In the time since launching, the number of girls racing has increased and podium positions have improved year on year. Sailing is now a much more multicultural sport.

The program has doubled as a life skills initiative, ensuring positive sustainable outcomes around alleviating poverty, reducing inequality, developing education and creating environmental awareness. The foundation won the Ethekwini Maritime Cluster Award for Empowering Youth in 2017 and was profiled as part of this year’s World Sailing Steering the Course program.

The 11th Hour Racing Sustainability Award celebrates the effective execution or ongoing delivery of high-impact, highly replicable sustainability initiatives that work to protect and restore the health of the ocean, and are aligned with the World Sailing Sustainability Agenda 2030.

The award is open to National Federations, sailing clubs, event organizing committees, individual sailors, or any other sailing-related organizations.

The Sail Africa Youth Development Foundation will receive a 10,000 USD prize from 11th Hour Racing to fund their continued sustainability efforts as well as the iconic trophy made from recycled carbon fibre from an America’s Cup boat, infused with bio resin.

“This award really means a lot to us and Sail Africa,” said Nigel Milln, Chairman of Sail Africa. “Our focus on racing sustainability and looking after our oceans is a huge benefit to Africa and to smaller development bodies like ourselves.

“It gives encouragement to the rest of the world that together we can make a difference. We are contributing to the newly-developed South Africa and giving enthusiasm and confidence to the people through sailing. It is an amazing thing that sailing does for everybody and we are very grateful to be a part of it.”

Four finalists had been advanced from the submissions in which they stood above as innovators within the sailing industry, focused on the sustainability of the sport and restoring the health of our ocean.

Four Finalists:
• Sail Africa Youth Development Foundation
• Foiling SuMoth Challenge
• International Optimist Dinghy Association
• Northern Light Srl

For additional information on the finalists, click here.

For the list of previous winners, click here.