A week of racing, learning and shared adventure came to a close at Dubai Offshore Sailing Club this past Sunday as the inaugural Kidzink Pearl Cup concluded, welcoming more than 100 youth sailors from 17 countries for one of the Middle East’s first international open youth sailing regattas.
Held from 15 to 21 December with the support of the Dubai Sports Council, the event brought together sailors aged 8 to 18 to compete across the Optimist Coached, Optimist, ILCA 4, 29er and RS Feva classes. Four days of competitive racing in ideal windy conditions were paired with three days of Olympic-level coaching delivered by an international coaching team.
Backed by global educational design firm Kidzink as title sponsor and strategic partner, the Kidzink Pearl Cup blended high-performance sport with learning, collaboration and onshore activity. Sailors also took part in interactive sessions developed with Kidzink’s research team, exploring the intersection of sport, learning and creativity, with a strong focus on leadership, inclusivity and clean-water awareness.
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Sailor Chloe Montanet
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Charlotte Borghesi, Founder and General Manager of Kidzink, said: “The energy throughout the week was incredible. You could see learning happening in real time, friendships forming on the dock and young sailors growing in confidence every day. The Kidzink Pearl Cup is about more than racing, it’s about creating an environment where young people feel inspired, supported and excited to learn.”
Local talent featured prominently, with members of the DOSC racing squad lining up alongside international competitors, including 14-year-old Chloe Montanet and 12-year-old Edward West, representing the next generation of UAE-based sailors gaining valuable international racing experience on home waters.
After four days of racing, podium honours were awarded across all fleets, underscoring the competitive depth and international flavour of the regatta. From early-morning launches to dockside celebrations, the Kidzink Pearl Cup delivered a week that balanced competition with connection, learning and fun, reinforcing Dubai’s growing reputation as a destination for youth sport and innovation.
