Optimists racing at last year's World Youth Island Games held in Majorca.
A new sailing academy has been created on the Island to develop talent for the 2010 World Island Youth Games and beyond.
The Isle of Wight Council has developed an Optimist Academy to develop the sailing skills of talented sailors aged between eight and 15.
Optimist sailors with at least a basic sailing knowledge are invited to apply to be part of the Academy which will hold monthly training sessions through until April 2010 at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, Fishbourne.
Each sailor will receive tuition from Royal Yachting Association qualified coaches and follow the International Optimist Class Association (IOCA) scheme and receive a personal development programme. This will detail personal goals set by coaches, suggested training programme throughout the summer months and details of events the coach feels the sailor should enter as part of their sailing development.
The first Academy training session takes place on Saturday 7 November. Taking part in the Optimist Academy costs £25 per training session or £140 if all six sessions are paid for in advance.
Cllr George Brown, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for the economy, tourism, leisure and planning said: "This scheme will give talented young Island sailors access to top coaching and support to develop their sailing skills and prepare them to compete in top competitions such as the World Island Youth Games and maybe even the Natwest Island Games, the next of which takes place here on the Island in 2011."