The Australian Olympic Committee has announced their selections for the sailing events at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, with rising windsurfing talents Sophie Brazier and Stirling McKay set to compete in Senegal later this year.
Brazier, 14, from Fremantle Sailing Club, will contest the Women’s Windsurfing competition, while 15-year-old McKay, from Balmoral Sailing Club in New South Wales, will compete in Men’s Windsurfing.
For Brazier, the opportunity represents an exciting step in her developing international career as she prepares to compete on one of the biggest stages available to young athletes.
“The Youth Olympics is a once-in-a-lifetime event and it feels like an important stepping stone. I’m looking forward to meeting people from other sports and seeing how their experiences differ from my own. I’m also looking forward to experiencing a completely different part of the world, practising my French and meeting competitors from other nations.”
Brazier and McKay will be supported in Dakar by coach Tom Squires, himself an Olympian for Great Britain in the Windsurfing event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and currently NSW High Performance Pathway Foiling Coach.
The Youth Olympic Games provide an opportunity to gain valuable experience in an international multi-sport environment and for the sailors to test themselves against the best young windsurfers from around the world.
“Being selected for the Games is a true honour and an incredible feeling. Having the opportunity to represent Australia on the global stage is something I am extremely proud of, and it is an experience like no other,” said McKay.
“I am particularly looking forward to being immersed in the Olympic Village, meeting athletes from different countries and sports, and being surrounded by so many talented young athletes. I think the experience both on and off the water will be something I remember for the rest of my life.”
The equipment for Dakar 2026 windsurfing competition is the Techno 293 OD, with racing to take place at Saly Beach, approximately 80km from Dakar.
Dakar 2026 will be held from 31 October to 13 November, marking the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games and the first time the event has been held on the African continent. Australia will compete across 16 sports, including sailing.
The sailors will compete in three races each day from 8-12 November from 11pm AEDT.
Australian Sailing congratulates Sophie and Stirling on their selection and wishes them, together with Tom, every success as they prepare for Dakar 2026.
#YouthOlympicGames #Sailing #Windsurfing #Australia #Dakar2026
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