Helping females discover their potential

World Sailing has opened applications from Member National Authorities (MNAs) who are interested in hosting a women’s Steering the Course technical course for coaches, race officials, judges, umpires, and measurers.

Building on five years of progress, this year’s Steering the Course – World Sailing’s annual festival for women in sailing – connects directly with the 2026 International Women’s Day theme, ‘Give to Gain’, a reminder that everyone benefits when we offer support, mentorship and opportunities.

In sailing, that means supporting more women and girls to discover their potential, progressing their skills, and stepping into roles as athletes, coaches, race officials and leaders.

• Information on Technical Courses for Coaches.
• Information on Race Officials, Judges, Umpires, and Measurer courses.

The deadline to submit the application form to host a Steering the Course Technical Course is April 10.

“Building technical capacity for women in our sport is a critical priority of the Steering the Course strategy,” reports Fiona Kidd, World Sailing’s Head of International Development. “Where introductory sessions open the door, technical courses and structured development opportunities help steer women further along the pathway into leadership roles, into performance positions, into positions of influence.

“This year’s connection with International Women’s Day and the Give to Gain theme reinforces a simple truth: when we invest in one another, offering time, expertise, encouragement and access, the benefits ripple outward. We strengthen clubs, broaden talent pools, and deepen the base of skilled sailors and leaders.”

In 2025, World Sailing successfully hosted a women’s Judges Clinic in Brazil, a Technical Course for Coaches Level 1 in Egypt and a Level 2 in Chinese Taipei, an Umpire Clinic in Hong Kong and China, as well as a National Race Officer Level 1 in Algeria, amongst many others.

In 2026, in addition to delivering several Technical Courses, World Sailing will celebrate two Steering the Course festivals:
• May 22–31
• September 25-October 4

These two windows give clubs, training centers, national organizations, and MNAs the flexibility to plan activities that fit their local calendars and communities. Activities might include fleet taster days, women-only regattas, race coaching clinics, officiating workshops, and community gatherings, each designed to create access, visibility and opportunity.

Source: World Sailing