USA wins Gold, Bronze at the 2025 Youth Sailing World Championship

Men's ILCA 6 gold for the USA's David Coates in the Youth Sailing World Championships 2025 at Vilamoura, Portugal © Nuno Fortinho Mendes / World Sailing

After 5 days of intense competition in Vilamoura, Portugal, David Coates of Coconut Grove, Florida secured the Gold in the ILCA 6 Male event at the 2025 Youth Sailing World Championships. Coates sailed with remarkable poise and consistency, battling a wide range of weather conditions from 0 to 30 knots throughout the week.

"From the beginning of last year, it has been my goal to be at this event and to win it feels amazing. I was sailing back in and I just started crying, I felt so emotional," said Cotes. "I really wanted to prove America has a place on the podium, especially in ILCA 6. To show we have a place here is such a great feeling. As I look at the St. Lawrence Trophy, seeing all these legends that have won before me, and it's insane that my name will go there alongside them."

USA's Nacra 15 Mixed team of Dylan Tomko and Casey Small also moved up to claim the bronze medal, improving on their 5th place finish at the 2024 event. Belgium's Lotte Meynen and Simon Jacobs were initially occupying third place but were later disqualified following an incident in race 12 with Spain. The Americans and Belgians finished tied with 48 points, with Tomko and Small finishing ahead on tiebreak.

All 16 athletes on the 2025 US Sailing Youth Worlds Team battled hard throughout the event, with support from 6 US Sailing coaches. IQFOiL Male athlete Garrett January finished in 4th overall; as a team, the US finished 5th in the Nations Trophy standings.

USA Overall Results: (Full Results)

1st - David Coates, ILCA 6 Male
3rd - Dylan Tomko / Casey Small, Nacra 15 Mixed
4th - Garrett January, iQFOiL Male
10th - Molly O'Brien, Formula Kite Female
11th - Harrison Gandy / JP Panebianco, 420 Male/Mixed
12th - Kevin Cason / Holland Vierling, 29er Male/Mixed
14th - Elizabeth Xydas / Alexandra Kolaya, 420 Female
16th - Quincy Radkowski, Formula Kite Male
19th - Sophie Niemann / Matilda Niemann, 29er Female
22nd - Graceanna Dixon, iQFOiL Female
29th - Louise Martin, ILCA 6 Female

"I'm extremely proud of our team this week for coming together and supporting each other through the wide range of conditions," said Team Leader and Youth Performance Manager Phil Muller. "Huge congratulations to our medalists David Mateo Coates in the ILCA 6 - Male and Dylan Tomko and Casey Smalls in the Mixed Nacra 17. This is the first time in 23 years that a US boy has stood at the top of the ILCA 6 podium!

"We had an amazing coaching staff who have given so much time and wisdom to this group of very young athletes who all have a year of eligibility left. So watch out for next year! Thank you to the Trevor Moore Fund and the Sailing Foundation of New York for their support of this 2025 Youth Team."

413 athletes representing 67 countries competed at the event, which was first held in 1971 and has since served as a proving ground for sailing talent on the international stage. The regatta format mirrors the Olympics, bringing together the world's top youth athletes in male, female, and mixed team categories. US Sailing's Youth Worlds Team athletes earned selection at the 2025 U.S. Youth Championship, competing against over 200 competitors at US Sailing's annual Youth Championship. The Team recently gathered for the US Youth Team Thanksgiving Training Camp in Miami, Florida, which was the final opportunity for athletes and coaches to prepare for the Youth Worlds.

Wind conditions varied significantly throughout the event, challenging sailors across a wide range of conditions. Day 1 brought light winds that limited racing opportunities, while Day 2 delivered heavy wind and waves that truly tested competitors' endurance and skill. Days 3 and 4 saw a return to light-to-moderate breezes, and the final day of competition featured puffy offshore winds, adding an extra tactical element to the racing.