Kidzink Pearl Cup Sets Sail: Dubai’s New Youth Regatta Charts a Course for Future Champions

Dubai is gearing up to welcome more than 175 young sailors aged 8 to 18 for the inaugural Kidzink Pearl Cup, set to take place from December 15–21. As one of the Middle East’s first large-scale open youth sailing regattas, the event serves as a major stepping stone for budding talent ready to take on the waves.

For many parents, the idea of their children heading into deep waters may spark worry, but for the young athletes participating, the ocean represents freedom, challenge, and a world of opportunity.

Hosted by the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC) with support from the Dubai Sports Council, the week-long regatta combines three days of Olympic-level coaching with four days of competitive racing across multiple classes Optimist, ILCA 4, ILCA 6, and 29er. One hundred and seventy-five sailors from around the world will battle to become the first in history to lift the Kidzink Pearl Cup trophy.

Fast-Tracking Youth Talent-

The event aims to accelerate the development of young sailors while promoting clean-water initiatives, inclusivity, leadership, and global sportsmanship. DOSC, widely regarded as one of the region’s premier sailing hubs, offers ideal training conditions and state-of-the-art facilities.

Twelve-year-old Edward West, born and raised in Dubai, is among the standout competitors. A DOSC member since childhood, Edward was selected for the racing squad at nine and has already won the Qatar International Optimist Regatta and earned a spot on the Team GB Development 1 Squad.

“I was four or five when I first stepped into a boat. I loved being in control,” he said. “Sailing means everything to me… Even though we race hard on the water, off the water we help each other and share laughs.”

Edward trains three to four days a week, balancing school, regattas, and his passion for rugby  a testament to the discipline and commitment the sport instills.

‘Sailing Means a Lot to Me’

Another rising talent, 14-year-old Chloe Montanet, represents the next wave of UAE-based competitors. Now one of DOSC’s youngest assistant instructors, she began racing just two years ago.

“Sailing constantly pushes me to improve and teaches me new skills every time I’m on the water,” she shared. “It’s built my confidence and resilience. Every race is different you always have to adapt.”

Chloe trains around 15 hours a week, carefully balancing academics and sport with a well-practised routine. Originally uninterested in sailing, she says the sport has now become a defining part of her identity.

World-Class Coaching Team-

The event’s coaching clinic is led by an international roster from GoldWinds Sailing Academy, featuring experts such as Albert Torres, Jose Manuel Ruiz Ibanez, Vasileia Karachaliou, Matias Adaminas, and Molly Hinsliff-Smith offering young sailors world-class mentoring.

A Vision Anchored in Growth and Learning-

Charlotte Borghesi, Founder and General Manager of Kidzink and a world champion sailor herself says the event reflects the values Kidzink stands for.

“The Kidzink Pearl Cup represents curiosity, fun in learning, teamwork,” she said. “As a sailor, I know how profoundly sailing can shape communication, discipline, and teamwork.”

Borghesi made history in 2023 as the first female helmswoman to win the SB20 World Championship, before securing another victory at the SB20 Women’s World Sailing Championship in 2025. Her experience on the water deeply influences Kidzink’s mission of designing environments that foster creativity, purpose, and well-being in young people.

With world-class coaching, international participation, and a strong developmental focus, the Kidzink Pearl Cup is more than a regatta it’s a launchpad for the next generation of sailing champions, charting a bold new course for youth sport in the region.