Algiers hosted the last of four African training camps for the Youth Olympic Games, capping a programme that has built momentum across the continent over the past year.
Held at the Port of Sidi Fredj, the camp was the biggest of the series, drawing 14 athletes and nine coaches from Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Madagascar, Morocco, Libya, Senegal and Tunisia.
Leading the coaching was Maksymilian Wojcik, the Raceboard Masters World Champion from Poland, brought in as the specialist coach for the Techno293 class.
"The potential is huge, but it needs time, continuity and a little bit of gentle reinforcement along the way," Wojcik said. "Everyone involved, both those organising the programme and those taking part, deserves a lot of credit."
He wants to see the work continue beyond Dakar. "For me, the next natural step would be to create a regular African competition circuit, giving these nations more opportunities to race, travel and develop together. I really hope we can see that happen in the near future. It would be pretty cool to watch where this could go!"
Most of the athletes who trained in Algiers now move straight into final preparation to represent their nations at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, the culmination of a year-long development pathway across the continent.
The camp was organised by World Sailing and the Algerian Sailing Federation, with funding from the International Olympic Committee's Olympic Solidarity through its Athlete Development Programme.
