Vincentian Sailor Joshua Weinhardt Claims Bronze at Semaine Nautique Internationale de Schoelcher
by SVG Sailing Association 19 Feb 11:48 AEDT
14-17 February 2026
Joshua Weinhardt, one of St Vincent and the Grenadines' most promising young sailors, has added another international podium finish to his growing résumé after securing the bronze medal in the ILCA 4 class at the 34th Semaine Nautique Internationale de Schoelcher, held from 14-17 February 2026 in Schoelcher, Martinique.
The Semaine Nautique Internationale de Schoelcher is one of the Caribbean's premier regattas for dinghy sailing, drawing competitors from across the French Caribbean, mainland France, and neighboring islands. Organized by the Cercle Nautique de Schoelcher and run under World Sailing and Fédération Française de Voile rules, the regatta features Optimist, ILCA 4, ILCA 6, ILCA 7 and board classes racing a series of 12 races over multiple days on the challenging west-coast waters off Fort-de-France Bay.
Competing in the ILCA 4 fleet, Weinhardt delivered a composed and consistent performance, including a couple of first places, throughout the regatta, navigating shifting breezes and strong regional competition to finish third overall and secure a place on the podium.
Building on a Strong Regional Season
The Schoelcher bronze continues a standout period for the young Vincentian sailor. Over the past year, Weinhardt has recorded multiple podium finishes at major Caribbean youth regattas, including a second-place finish at the 2025 Caribbean Dinghy Championships and gold at the 2026 Barbados Sailing Week Junior Regatta in the ILCA 4 class.
A member of Vincy Sailing Club and part of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Sailing Association (SVGSA) high-performance youth pathway, Weinhardt has benefited from structured coaching and regular exposure to high-level regional competition, a combination that continues to translate into results on the water.
"Joshua's results reflect not only his talent, but also the strength of the development pathway being built for young sailors in St Vincent and the Grenadines at the Sailing Association's High Performance Centre" Jenny Trumble, President of the SVG Sailing Association noted following his recent successes.
International Exposure and Experience
The Semaine Nautique Internationale de Schoelcher is widely regarded as a proving ground for young sailors, offering large fleets, varied conditions, and a high standard of race management. Regular participation in events of this caliber is seen as a key step in preparing Caribbean youth sailors for continental championships and future international campaigns.
Weinhardt's podium finish in Martinique not only underscores his individual progress, but also highlights the continued development of youth sailing in St Vincent and the Grenadines, as more young athletes gain experience and recognition on the regional circuit.
As the 2026 season continues, Joshua Weinhardt is expected to represent St Vincent and the Grenadines at additional Caribbean and international regattas, such as Antigua National Dinghy Championships in March, and the World Championships being held in Denmark in August, building toward higher-level championships and further strengthening SVG's presence in youth dinghy sailing.
Interested in learning to sail and maybe follow in Joshua's footsteps? Email for more information.