Sri Lanka to host IODA Asian and Oceanian Sailing Championship 2026

• International youth sailing championship to bring 130 sailors from 20 countries to Colombo Port City

Sri Lanka will host the 12th Asian and Oceanian Championship of the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA) from 12 to 19 December at Port City Colombo, bringing together young sailors from across the world for one of the region’s major international Optimist sailing championships.

With 20 countries registered and 130 boats expected on the water, the championship will feature individual and team racing across three fleets in the under-15 Optimist class, one of the world’s largest youth sailing classes.

Sailors from Asian and Oceanic countries as well Argentina, Brazil, the Czech Republic, France and the USA will compete in this year’s championship.

“Hosting the IODA Asian and Oceanian Championship is a significant milestone for Sri Lankan sailing. It will provide our young sailors the opportunity to compete against some of the best in the region,” said Lalin Jirasinha, President of the Yachting Association of Sri Lanka (YASL).

Racing will be held over five days, with clear skies and average winds of 8-12 knots expected.

“With three continental titles and an overall Asian and Oceanian title at stake, the championship offers competitors more than a single overall podium,” said Sarath Kuragama, Chief Operating Officer of YASL.

Last year, Thailand took the individual overall title, Singapore won the Team Racing Championship and the USA claimed the Nations Cup.

Individual prizes will go to the top three competitors overall, the top three girls, and the top three sailors from Asia and Oceania respectively. Titles will also be awarded to the leading Asian and Oceanian girls and boys, and the Overall Asian and Oceanian Champion.

In team racing, prizes will be awarded to the top three teams overall, the leading Asian and Oceanian teams, and the best-placed team from either continent, which will receive the IODA Perpetual Trophy and the Asian & Oceanian Team Racing title.

Around 60 foreign coaches, team leaders, managers and other officials will join the sailors alongside international jury members. Renowned Turkish International Sailing Judge and International Race Officer Ilker Byindir will serve as Principal Race Officer, while Malaysian veteran sailor and coach Mohamed Afendy will serve as the race officer.

“As one of the most prestigious events on the IODA calendar for the Asia and Oceania region, the championship brings together the continent’s top young sailors to compete at the highest level of the class,” said Captain Ajay Kumar Narang (Retd), IODA Vice President - Africa, Asia and Oceania.

“The 2026 Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship marks an exciting return to Sri Lanka, a nation with a proud sailing tradition and a proven record of hosting outstanding international Optimist competition,” he added.

Sri Lanka last hosted the championship in 2016 in Trincomalee, following an earlier edition in 2012. The country was awarded the 2020 championship, but it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The island has also hosted several international sailing events, including the South Asian Yachting Regatta from 1970 to 1978 and again in 2004, the Enterprise World Championships in 2006 and the GP14 World Championships in 2011.

The event, organised by YASL in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports, IODA and other local stakeholders, “will boost sports tourism and strengthen Sri Lanka’s position as a destination for international sailing,” said Jirasinha.

“We also hope it will encourage the development of sailing programs in the country, especially in the North and East,” he said.

The championship is supported by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, the Ministry of Defence, and Port City Colombo, while One Plus Boat Co. Ltd. of China will provide charter boats to the competitors. Kingsbury Hotel will accommodate all sailors and teams.

The Sri Lanka Navy, which has assisted with previous international sailing events, will provide rescue services and shore facilities.

The championship has grown into a major competition for young Optimist sailors across Asia and Oceania. Last year’s edition in Oman attracted more than 180 sailors from 25 countries.