Last year, saw ISAF introduce the inaugural Athlete Participation Programme at the 2002 ISAF World Sailing Games in Marseille, providing financial support towards competitors' travel, entry and accommodation, together with coaching support provided by coaches from the Federation Francaise de Voile. The programme was highly successful and is now an integral part of ISAF's support to sailors from sailing nations who may otherwise be unable to participate in ISAF events.

For 2003, the Athlete Participation Programme is supporting the 2003 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship, with financial support having been given towards air travel and the entry fee. Indeed, as a result of the funding the following four countries are making their first ever appearance at the Youth Worlds:

Angola
Cook Islands
Puerto Rico
Samoa

Coaching support is being provided by Jim Saltonstall (GBR), the renowned international coach who was the RYA Senior Racing Coach from 1977-2000, which included responsibility for the GBR youth programme and GBR youth team, and Olympic Team Coach in 1996 and 2000. He is the author of several books, including the RYA Race Training Manual.

2003 will see Jim's third year as coach at the Youth Worlds, a role which is funded by the World Youth Sailing Trust, a charitable organization of ISAF members, who focus their support towards youth events.

Many of the sailors on the Athlete Participation Programme are attending the Youth Worlds without a team leader or coach, so it is essential that they are provided with the necessary support.

The comprehensive coaching support will include:

Pre-event Preparation
Self preparation
Boat Preparation - including Boat Handling - Boat Tuning -
Race Strategy - including Starting Tactics, Racing Rules, Compass Work, Meteorology.
Preview the Sailing Instructions

Video Debriefs daily by Classes
The video debriefs have proved a valuable element of the coaching given to the competitors, and for many it is the first time they have been able to post-race view themselves on the water and receive coaching instruction and advice.

Whilst a primary focus of Jim will be the sailors on the Athlete Participation Programme, assistance is available to all those who would like it, including team leaders, coaches and competitors.

Sailors being supported via the Athlete Participation Programme, in country code order are:

Nation	Name	Age	Gender	Event (Class)
ANG	Joao de Menezes Francisco	18	M	Laser
ANG	Mario Walter Francisco Telxeira	16	M	420
ANG	Valerio Francisco Miguel	17	M	420
BUL	Vesselin Nanev	16	M	Mistral
COK	Jan Sijp	15	M	Laser
CRO	Gea Barbic	17	F	Laser
EST	Argo Vooremaa	17	M	Laser
EST	Merili Randmaa	17	F	Laser
GUA	Timothy Rogers	17	M	Laser
PUR	Angela Albela	15	F	Laser
PUR	Robert Christiansen	16	M	Laser
SAM	Blake Milroy	15	M	Laser
TAH	Jessee Besson	16	M	Laser