Please select your home edition
Edition
Allen Sailing

Future Shines Bright as Young Aussies Medal at ILCA U21 Worlds

by Lisa Darmanin / Australian Sailing Team 1 Sep 15:24 AEST 22-29 August 2025
Bronze for Frances Beebe at the 2025 ILCA Under-21 World Championships © David Branigan / Oceansport

Australia's next generation of sailing talent has made its mark on the world stage, with Isaac Schotte claiming silver and Frances Beebee finishing with a bronze medal at the ILCA Under 21 World Championships. Their strong performances were backed up by teammates Eddie Reid, who finished fourth in the ILCA7, and Evie Saunders, who placed fifth in the ILCA6.

On the ground in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, Australian Sailing High Performance Pathways Manager Haylee Outteridge was there to support and observe the young squad throughout six days of challenging racing.

"There were mostly moderate winds throughout the regatta," Outteridge explained. "The first two days saw onshore breezes with short chop, before switching to offshore winds for the rest of the week. Strong currents in Dublin Bay also played a big role in the racing, particularly on the start line. The conditions demanded both physical endurance and disciplined race-day processes."

The Australian Sailing Futures program was bolstered by the expertise of double Olympic gold medallist Matt Wearn who coached the ILCA7 men, with ILCA6 National Squad Coach Mikael Lundh coaching the women.

"It was fantastic having Matt and Mikael here working with the Performance Pathways athletes," said Outteridge. "Matt is not only an elite athlete, but also an amazing role model for the next generation of Australian sailors. His presence and professionalism at the U21 Worlds reinforced the Australian Sailing Team values and commitment to perform when it counts.

"It was a special opportunity for the Pathways athletes to work with Matt and Mikael, a fantastic display of teamwork and integration within the Australian Sailing High Performance program."

On what these results mean for these young sailors Outteridge noted, "The performances we've seen this week are the product of years of work in their daily training environments with coaches and performance teams."

"There are some mixed emotions from the athletes, as there were plenty of points left on the racecourse. However, they've displayed a good foundation of skills and speed and are driven to continue to close the gaps to the senior fleet."

The Australians leave Ireland with confidence and a clear sense of the next steps in their journey. Returning to their daily training, the lessons learned at the U21 Worlds will fuel their development and keep them firmly on track towards a home Olympic Games in Brisbane 2032.

Australian Sailing Pathway Team (ASPT), Australian Sailing Futures (ASF) and other Australian (AUS) results in the 2025 ILCA European Championships:

ILCA 6 - 73 Entries
3rd - Frances Beebe (ASF)
5th - Evie Saunders (ASPT)
22nd - Lili McAullay (AUS)

ILCA 7 - 139 Entries
2nd - Isaac Schotte (ASF)
4th - Edward Reid (ASF)
59th - Hamish Gilsenan (AUS)
78th - Max Sturman (AUS)
79th - Patrick Cummin (AUS)
86th - Xavier Bates (AUS)
106th - Charles Allen Toyn (AUS)

Find the full results here.

Related Articles

Morris and Meehan shortlisted as finalists
For Young World Sailor of the Year Australia's next generation of sailing talent is making waves on the world stage, with Grae Morris and Rory Meehan both named as finalists for the Kuehne+Nagel Young World Sailor of the Year Award - Male. Posted today at 5:27 am
Hamilton Island backs next wave of skiff talent
AST 16ft Skiff is set to line up in the iconic Port Jackson Championship The Australian Sailing Team (AST) 16ft Skiff is set to line up in the iconic Port Jackson Championship this weekend, hosted by the Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club (Manly 16s). Posted on 17 Oct
Breakthrough performances for Australian sailors
At the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 World Championships in Cagliari From light airs to heavy breeze, Sardinia served up a full spectrum of conditions as the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 World Championships came to a dramatic close. Posted on 12 Oct
Australian Sailing Team set for Calgiari
Taking on the world's best at the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Worlds The 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 World Championships are set to get under way in Cagliari, Sardinia, from October 7-12, with 14 Australian teams ready to take on the world's best. Posted on 7 Oct
Whitehead Finishes Fifth at Formula Kite Worlds
Fifth place matches her PB from 2023, also in Sardinia Australian Breiana Whitehead has once again proven herself among the world's best, finishing fifth overall at the 2025 Formula Kite World Championships in Sardinia, Italy, matching her personal best from 2024. Posted on 5 Oct
Australia's 1980 Olympic Sailing Team Reunites
A gathering marked by reflection, reconciliation, and long-overdue recognition It took 45 years, but the athletes who formed Australia's 1980 Olympic sailing team have finally reunited, a gathering marked by reflection, reconciliation, and long-overdue recognition. Posted on 1 Oct
Australians ready for Formula Kite Worlds
The stage is set at Poetto Beach, Sardinia, Italy The stage is set at Poetto Beach, Sardinia, Italy, for the start of the Formula Kite World Championships, where Queenslanders Breiana Whitehead and Oscar Timm will fly the Australian flag in the Women's and Men's fleets. Posted on 30 Sep
AST joins Manly 16ft Skiff SC racing series
Manly 16s offers some of the highest-quality weekend skiff racing in the country The Australian Sailing Team (AST) is excited to announce its introduction into the Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club (Manly 16s) racing series. Posted on 29 Sep
Grae Morris Crowned U23 iQFOiL World Champion
After an incredible week of racing in Portimão, Portugal Grae Morris has been crowned iQFOiL Under 23 World Champion in Portimão, Portugal, after an incredible week of racing. Morris dominated the fleet, winning 14 of the 19 qualifying races to secure his place directly in the Grand Final. Posted on 14 Sep
Morris Returns to Action at iQFOiL U23 Worlds
Set to feature a mammoth 20 races in Portimão, Portugal Grae Morris returns to competition this week in Portimão, Portugal, for the iQFOiL Under 23 World Championships. The regatta runs from 8-13 September and is set to feature a mammoth 20 races over six days on the Atlantic Ocean. Posted on 8 Sep
Vetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 FOOTERHenri-Lloyd Dynamic RangeSea Sure 2025