Sailing Chandlery & Performance Academy Sailing Scholarship

Amelie is entering the 2026 season with a sophisticated and analytical approach to her racing. For Amelie, the Performance Academy Sailing Scholarship (PASS) is about much more than spending time on the water; it's a way for her to access a bespoke, professional-grade training environment. By working closely with the Performance Academy coaches, she is looking to deconstruct her current racing style and rebuild it with a focus on marginal gains. Her dedication to the sport is evident in her desire to "personalise" her programme, moving away from a "one size fits all" coaching model to something that specifically targets her individual strengths and weaknesses.

In the highly competitive world of youth racing, Amelie understands that the difference between the middle of the fleet and the podium often comes down to the quality of one's preparation. She is looking to use this year to improve her physical conditioning alongside her tactical decision-making. With the support of Sailing Chandlery gear and Performance Academy expertise, Amelie is positioned to make a significant leap in her national rankings. Her focus remains on pushing her results to the "next level", ensuring that every tack, gybe, and start is executed with the precision required of an elite-level athlete. We are excited to see her apply this high-performance mindset to her regatta schedule this summer with the Performance Academy and Sailing Chandlery.

Nathan is a sailor who truly understands the value of a solid foundation. While many young athletes are eager to jump straight into advanced tactics, Nathan has made the mature decision to spend the 2026 season focusing on the "basics." He recognises that at the highest levels of the sport, the sailors who win are those who perform the fundamental boat-handling skills perfectly, even when under extreme pressure or in survival conditions. By refining these core skills, Nathan is aiming to become a more "well-rounded" sailor, capable of competing at the front of the fleet regardless of the weather or the venue.

Nathan’s commitment to the Performance Academy Sailing Scholarship programme stems from his belief in the power of high-quality coaching. He is eager to get back to basics under the watchful eye of the Performance Academy’s expert staff, using their feedback to iron out any bad habits and reinforce the technical proficiency that leads to consistent speed. Whether it's perfecting his roll tacks or ensuring his sail trim is millimetre-perfect, Nathan is putting in the hard yards now to ensure long-term success. His disciplined approach to training makes him a standout scholar for 2026, and we are proud to provide the hardware and support he needs to refine his craft. Watching Nathan's progression as he builds this "well-rounded" skill set will be a highlight of the season for the teams at the Performance Academy and Sailing Chandlery.

Edie is a versatile and ambitious sailor currently navigating one of the most challenging phases of a youth sailing career: the transition between classes. While she is still heavily focused on maximising her performance in the Topper, Edie has already begun the process of moving into the ILCA class. This dual focus requires an immense amount of adaptability and technical intelligence, as the two boats demand very different handling styles and physical inputs. The Performance Academy Sailing Scholarship is a vital tool for Edie during this transition, providing her with the coaching stability needed to maintain her "Topper" consistency while building a competitive "ILCA" base.

Edie’s primary goals for the 2026 season revolve around three key pillars: consistency, tactics, and confidence. She is acutely aware that racing at the front of a large fleet requires a calm head and a clear tactical plan. By working with the Performance Academy, she aims to sharpen her ability to read the wind and the fleet, ensuring that she is always on the right side of the shifts. As she builds her confidence in the more powerful ILCA rig, Edie is quickly proving that she has the work ethic to succeed in whatever boat she steps into. Sailing Chandlery and the Performance Academy are proud to support Edie as she takes this "next step," and we look forward to seeing her red-sailed Topper and her new ILCA setup at the front of the pack this year.

Rio is an athlete who thrives on the challenge of competition, and his focus for 2026 is entirely on performance and consistency. Rio recognises that elite sailing is as much a mental game as it is a physical one, and he is looking to the Performance Academy Sailing Scholarship programme to help him gain the "confidence on the water" required to dominate his fleet. For Rio, the Performance Academy Sailing Scholarship represents a gateway to higher-level training opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. By immersing himself in the Performance Academy’s high-performance culture, he is looking to surround himself with other top-tier sailors to push his limits during every training session.

Improvement for Rio means more than just a faster boat; it means having the tactical awareness to perform consistently across a long series of races. He is determined to move away from "yo-yo" results and become a reliable podium contender. With access to professional coaching, Rio is focusing on his ability to execute clean starts and maintain lane discipline in crowded fleets. His passion for the sport is infectious, and his drive to "perform consistently in competitions" is exactly why he was selected as a 2026 scholar. At Sailing Chandlery, we are excited to equip Rio with the technical gear he needs to stay warm, dry, and focused as he pursues his goals on the national circuit this season.

The final sailor to be announced for the 2026 Performance Academy Sailing Scholarship is Alex Jones, a high-performance athlete competing in the WASZP class. Alex joins the Performance Academy Sailing Scholarship scheme with a clear vision for his trajectory in the sport. He is deeply committed to his growth, stating, "I want to keep developing as an athlete, represent my supporters professionally, and push towards consistently performing at the highest international level."

For Alex Jones, the Performance Academy Sailing Scholarship (PASS) Scheme represents a vital partnership in his journey toward elite competition. He recognises that reaching the top tier of international sailing requires more than just skill; it requires a professional approach to every aspect of the sport. His ambition to push towards consistently performing at the highest international level aligns perfectly with the mission of the Performance Academy. By providing Alex with the technical gear and coaching infrastructure he needs, we are helping him build the consistency required to compete against the world's best. We are proud to welcome him to the team and look forward to seeing his progress on the international WASZP circuit this season.