The NOR is posted and on-line registration is open to those teams that have qualified through their country qualifier. Youth Worlds 2026 will provide sailors with a unique experience of the Nordic midsummer and the magic of the midnight sun.
From the Document Governing All Sanctioned Lightning Class Championships - Youth World Championship
ENTRIES
1. (a) Every country with organized yachting activity shall be entitled to two (2) Entries for the World Youth Championship. The Host Country shall be entitled to two (2) Additional entries. The Executive Committee may allocate additional entries on an equal basis to all Countries to provide twenty entries.
(b) Skippers and crew in the World Youth Championship must be ILCA members.
(c) Skippers and crew must be no older than 20; to clarify Skippers and crew may not turn twenty-one (21) years old during the year of the Championship.
Teams bring their own sails and PFD's. Boats are provided by host and a damage deposit is required. A draw system determines boat rotation.
Qualification for the World Youth Championship shall be determined preferably based on the order of finish in a Junior or Area Championship as follows: for U.S. entries, by the International Lightning Class Association; for Canadian entries, by the Canadian International Lightning Association; for entries from countries other than the U.S. or Canada, by the District or by the member National Authority of the International Sailing Federation.
Important Deadlines:
Each Lightning National Class Association or National Authority shall inform the ILCA class office no later than March 1, 2026 of the number of boats that it would like to enter.
If a Lightning National Class Association or National Authority cannot fill its two-boat quota, those available slots will be reallocated to interested countries by March 15, 2026.
Each Lightning National Class Association or National Authority shall inform the ILCA class office no later than April 1, 2026 of the competitors that will represent their country.
Any questions on eligibility please contact the Class Office. office@lightningclass.org
One week prior to the World Championships event, the Finnish National and European Championships will take place at the same venue, from June 15 to 18, 2026. These events offer an excellent opportunity for participants to familiarize themselves with the race area and local wind conditions ahead of the Worlds. The Finnish National and European Championships are open events. All are welcome to participate.