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Within hours of clinching victory in the Volvo Ocean Race as skipper of the all-conquering Ericsson 4, veteran Brazilian Torben GRAEL was turning his attentions to the next generation of champion sailors and the record 280+ competitors from 59 nations congregating in the Brazilian port of Búzios and what they call, 'sailing's Olympics in a week.'

"I am delighted that the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship are taking place in my home country for the first time and feel sure Brazil and Armação de Búzios will give a fantastic welcome to the next generation of Olympians, World Champions, Americas Cup and Volvo Ocean Race sailors," said the man who guided Ericsson 4 to a convincing victory in the toughest, roughest race on earth.

"My advice to these young sailors is to work hard, enjoy your sport, make the most of your potential and see where it takes you," added the two-time Olympic gold medallist. "And if the opportunity to sail a Volvo Ocean Race campaign comes along, grab it with both hands as it is a wonderful sporting experience and a massive personal challenge."

GRAEL returns to Brazil at the same time as his national football team which won the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa, completing a wonderful weekend for the country's sporting heroes and he hopes his compatriots can achieve a strong performance on home waters.

"I wish each and every one of the 280 young sailors great sport and every success," said the Brazilian sailing star, who may even take a trip up to Búzios on a talent-spotting mission.

Racing is held across seven events below, with 12 races scheduled for each event. Along with the individual events, the prestigious Volvo Trophy, currently held by Great Britain, will be awarded to the top performing nation at the championship.

Event - Equipment - Entries

Boy's One Person Dinghy - Laser Radial - 54 entries
Girl's One Person Dinghy - Laser Radial - 40 entries
Boy's Two Person Dinghy - 420 - 34 entries (68 sailors)
Girl's Two Person Dinghy - 420 - 25 entries (50 sailors)
Boy's Windsurfer - RS:X with 8.5m2 sail & 60cm fin - 23 entries
Girl's Windsurfer - RS:X with 8.5m2 sail & 60cm fin - 14 entries
Open Multihull - Hobie 16 with Spinnaker - 18 entries (36 sailors)

Thursday 9 July is the official arrival day for the championship, followed by the practice race and Opening Ceremony on Friday 10 July. The first official race day is Saturday 11 July, with two races scheduled across all seven events. Racing continues on Sunday and Monday, followed by the lay day on Tuesday and the final three days of racing on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 15-17 July.

Schedule

Thursday 9 July - Arrival Day
Friday 10 July - Practice Race and Opening Ceremony
Saturday 11 July - First Official Race Day (2 races scheduled)
Sunday 12 July - Second Official Race Day (3 races scheduled)
Monday 13 July -Third Official Race Day (2 races scheduled)
Tuesday 14 July - Lay Day
Wednesday 15 July - Fourth Official Race Day (2 races scheduled)
Thursday 16 July - Fifth Official Race Day (2 races scheduled)
Friday 17 July - Sixth Official Race Day (1 race scheduled) and Closing Ceremony
Saturday 18 July - Departure Day

How Well Do You Know The Youth Worlds?

Staying up to the date with all the latest news, videos, photos and gossip from the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship has never been easier or more fun! Ahead of the start of this year's championship, the Youth Worlds website has been given a brand new look and re-launched at www.sailing.org/youthworlds. We've also launched a Youth Worlds YouTube channel at www.YouTube.com/VolvoYouthWorlds, a Youth Worlds Twitter page at www.twitter.com/youthworlds and a Facebook site at www.facebook.com/pages/Volvo-Youth-Worlds/93806273347.

To encourage you to take a look around the new site our Competition gives you a chance to win some ISAF goodies by taking our Youth Worlds quiz. So if you think you know your Volvo Trophies from your Past Venues go to www.sailing.org/youthworlds and click on the Competition Time link on the homepage or go to Competition under the 'Fun Stuff!' menu heading. Entries are open until midnight on Monday 8 July.

The 39th edition of the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship is part of a sailing-packed year in the Rio de Janeiro state, which also played host to the Volvo Ocean Race, with an In-Port race won by the Telefonica Blue team and the start of leg six from Rio to Boston. The Laser 4.7 Youth World Championship will also be held in Buzios from 24-31 July, whilst the city of Niteroi will host the Optimist World Championship from 4-15 August.

Find out more about the Youth Worlds at www.sailing.org/youthworlds.