Canadian Teens Set to Compete at Youth World Sailing Championships

A sailing journey that began in the waters off Sooke, British Columbia, has led two local teens to the prestigious Youth World Sailing Championships in Portugal this December. Theo Stolth, 17, and Averi Kuo, 14, will represent Canada against the world’s top 29er sailors at the event. Stolth expressed his excitement, stating, “Going into the event, it was our goal to be selected to the championship. When we got the call that we were selected, it was an exciting surprise.”

Stolth, a Grade 12 student at Edward Milne Community School in Sooke, first discovered sailing through a local summer camp organized by the Sooke Sailing Association. His journey in competitive sailing began there, eventually leading him to coach with the Association until summer 2023. This summer, he transitioned to the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, where he trained under the guidance of renowned coach Steve McBride. Stolth has shifted his focus to the high-performance 29er skiff, a fast and demanding two-person sailing vessel.

After his previous sailing partner moved on to university, Stolth teamed up with Kuo, who recently transitioned to the 29er class. Kuo, a Grade 10 student at Glenlyon Norfolk School, has already established herself in the sport. She trained at the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco and recently represented Team Canada in Nieuwpoort, Belgium. Kuo has demonstrated impressive skills, earning a top 25 position at the Canadian Optimist Nationals and placing 12th overall the following year, which qualified her for the Europeans and North and South Americans.

Both sailors are committed to making their trip to the championships possible through fundraising efforts, including a GoFundMe campaign. Stolth reflected on their journey, saying, “I’m honoured and grateful for the opportunity we have been given to represent Canada. I would like to extend my thanks to anybody who would like to help.”

As the competition draws near, Stolth and Kuo are not only focused on their performance but also on the experience of competing on an international stage. Their dedication to the sport, combined with their recent achievements, positions them as strong competitors at the Youth World Sailing Championships.