NEVIS, July 2026 – The Nevis Aquatic and Sailing Centre (NASC) and the St. Kitts and Nevis Sailing Association (SKNSA) are celebrating a historic milestone as 14-year-old Abhijith Srinivasan becomes the first sailor to represent St. Kitts and Nevis at the 2026 ILCA North American Championships.
From July 9–12, 2026, Abhijith will compete at the prestigious championship, hosted by the Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club in San Pedro, California, where he will race against one of the strongest international fleets in North America. The event will feature more than 200 ILCA sailors, providing the young athlete with invaluable experience at one of the premier competitions on the international sailing calendar.
Abhijith earned his place in this elite championship through a series of outstanding performances on the regional circuit. Under the guidance of Coach Nicholas Dupre and Coach Nickhail Rogers, he secured an impressive second-place finish in the ILCA 4 class at the 2026 Antigua National Championships in March, followed by another runner-up finish at the Bahamas National Championships.
His preparation for the North American Championships has included participation in the ILCA Sail Better Clinic in April, as well as high-performance training in San Pedro, where he has worked alongside internationally renowned coaches Andrew Lewis, Niels Broekhuisen, and Bruno Fontes.
What makes Abhijith’s achievement especially inspiring is the journey that brought him to this stage.
He first stepped into a sailboat at the Nevis Aquatic and Sailing Centre at the age of eight, learning the fundamentals of sailing in an Optimist dinghy. Through dedication, perseverance, and countless hours on the water, he progressed through the sport and transitioned to the ILCA class just over a year ago. Today, he stands poised to represent his country on one of the biggest stages in youth sailing.
For NASC, Abhijith’s accomplishpowerfully reflectson of its mission to empower young people through sailing and aquatic sports. As a non-profit organisation, NASC is committed to building water confidence, developing life skills, and creating opportunities for youth across St. Kitts and Nevis. Seeing one of its students progress from beginner lessons in Nevis to competing at a major international championship is a proud moment for the organisation and the wider community.
Abhijith’s journey demonstrates that passion, discipline, quality coaching, and strong community support can open the door to extraordinary opportunities. His success serves as an inspiration to aspiring young sailors throughout the Federation and the wider Caribbean.
The Nevis Aquatic and Sailing Centre and the St. Kitts and Nevis Sailing Association invite the nation to join them in congratulating Abhijith Srinivasan and wishing him every success as he proudly flies the flag of St. Kitts and Nevis at the 2026 ILCA North American Championships.
Fair winds, Abhijith! The entire nation is behind you.