#YouthSailing - The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) is now inviting applications to its Athlete Participation Programme for the 2013 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship in Limassol this summer.

The ISAF Athlete Participation Programme (APP) was created in 2002 and assists athletes with attending the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship by offering coaching support and financial subsidies towards the entry fee and travel costs. The World Youth Sailing Trust also provides a championship coach. 

The APP is targeted at sailors from nations in subscription categories 1 and 2. Priority will be given to new countries and for countries that have not participated in the ISAF Youth Worlds in the last two years.

Thanks to APP funding, sailors from the Cook Islands, Cuba, El Salvador, Serbia, Botswana and Paraguay have been able to compete at the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship.

The APP allows athletes, via their member national authority, to apply for support in the following three ways:

Event Coaching and Support: Athletes who are not able to travel with a team leader or coach are able to apply for coaching support. The on-site Championship coach will be available for pre and post race briefings and other essential event support.

Entry Fee Subsidy: Athletes may apply for a subsidy towards the event entry fee.

Travel Subsidy: Athletes may apply for a subsidy towards their travel expenses in order to attend the Championship.

All ISAF member national authorities have been sent the ISAF APP Application Form. The form must be returned to the ISAF Secretariat by 5pm on 25 February 2013.

The 2013 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship will take place in Limassol, Cyprus from 13-20 July 2013. The event is open to competitors aged under 19 in the year of the championship (ie for Ireland, under 19 on 31 December 2013) in the events and equipment listed here:

• Boy's One Person Dinghy - To be confirmed
• Girl's One Person Dinghy - To be confirmed
• Boy's Two Person Dinghy - 420
• Girl's Two Person Dinghy - 420
• Boy's Windsurfer - RS:X with 8.5m2 sail
• Girl's Windsurfer - RS:X with 8.5m2 sail
• Open Multihull - Sirena SL16
• Open Skiff - 29er

Simply getting to the championship is a major achievement for most as entry is limited to one boat per nation, per event, meaning sailors first having to win through their national qualification series.

Entry details have been sent to all ISAF MNAs who are reminded that the deadline for submitting the Boat Reservation Form is 31 January 2013.