“The ocean is our stadium”
SSL championed sustainability and inclusion at Ocean Marina Jomtien. Protecting the ocean – and the people who compete on it – was part of the game.
The Four Pillars: Planet, People, Partners and Performance
SSL’s general sustainability framework is aligned with Clean Regattas, World Sailing’s Sustainability Agenda 2030, and the IOC Sustainability Strategy. In Thailand, while plastic-free catering and recycling systems were active from day one to address the Planet, the event placed equal emphasis on People.
Levelling the Playing Field: Emerging Nations and Gender Equity
Sustainability extended beyond environmental action; it also meant creating a fair and inclusive future for the sport. The SSL Gold Cup format was designed to break down barriers through structural changes to the game.
Empowering Emerging Nations: By utilising a one-design format – where identical SSL 47 boats were provided to all teams – SSL removed the financial and technological arms race. This allowed sailors from emerging sailing nations to compete on a truly level playing field, based purely on talent.
Gender Equity by Design: The league remained committed to narrowing the gender gap in sailing through concrete regulations. In the SSL Gold Cup, every team was required to include two female athletes on board. This ensured active participation at the highest level and created visible role models and pathways for future generations of female sailors.
Professional Governance The Green Team: To move beyond good intentions and toward measurable action, SSL implemented a structured governance model. A dedicated Green Team was established to oversee sustainability operations, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities.
Water Refill Stations and Recycling Built into the Venue
Waste reduction began with infrastructure. Water refill stations were installed throughout the venue, and all teams and staff used reusable bottles. Recycling bins were clearly placed and actively monitored.
“We were very lucky to work with a venue and marina that were keen to align with our sustainability goals and collaborate to create a positive impact while we were here. From the very beginning of event planning, reducing plastic and waste across all aspects of the event was a priority,”
said Elise Laffan, sustainability volunteer at SSL.
“This was our first event with a dedicated sustainability team on site,” Laffan added. “Their presence helped teams follow the system and improve behaviour.”
Beach Clean-Up: Learning by Doing
Before racing began, SSL sailors joined Amara Watersports and 60 local children for a beach clean-up at Ocean Marina Jomtien. In just 30 minutes, 144 kg of trash was collected, sorted, and sent for recycling. The most meaningful impact, however, was the lesson it left behind.
“For many people, it’s hard to see how daily habits affect the ocean,” said Amara Wichithong, windsurfing legend and founder of Amara Watersports.
“Single-use plastics are the biggest problem. If we change small habits together, we protect the ocean we depend on.”
SSL sailors from multiple nations worked side by side with the children.
“Seeing this much trash shows how quickly it ends up in the sea,”
said sailors from SSL Team Oman. “Doing this together – and sharing that message at home – really matters.”
Thai Ocean Academy: Education and Data for Long-Term Impact
Education sat at the heart of SSL’s sustainability strategy through a partnership with the Thai Ocean Academy. Marine biologists taught young people about coral health, while reef monitoring data was shared with authorities to support policy decisions.
“Education and data must work together,”
said Tim McKay, founder of Thai Ocean Academy.
“If we want real impact, we must start young and support our actions with science.”
Laffan added: “We were inspired by the coral data collection and marine education programmes Tim and his team are running. We want to use our international platform to highlight local organisations doing vital work to protect our oceans.”
Waste Collection Reducing Overconsumption
SSL set a clear target of 90% waste diversion. Waste was sorted, tracked, and recycled, while trash found on the water was brought back ashore whenever possible. Collected materials were sent to local recycling facilities and transformed into new products, including flowerpots.
“Plastic bags break down quickly in the sun and become microplastics,”
said Amara Wichithong. “That damage lasts for generations.”
At Ocean Marina Jomtien, sustainability was not an add-on. It was embedded in the event itself. Through education, partnerships, and accountability, SSL demonstrated how sport can drive meaningful change. This marked an important first step – and only the beginning.
The Sustainability Ambassador Competition
SSL turned waste management into a competitive challenge. Teams were encouraged to weigh and sort their waste daily, positioning themselves as Sustainability Ambassadors for their nations. Each day, the Green Team weighed the sorted waste. On December 20, the logged Sustainability Ambassador waste total reached 1.91 kg, reflecting active engagement from the teams.
Webinars were also hosted on December 13 and 14 to align teams with global best practices and define the Thailand mission. Sessions covered the Vision 2030 goals, including zero single-use plastic, a minimum 90% waste diversion rate, a 50% carbon reduction compared to 2024, and achieving 50/50 gender parity.
Competition Results and Incentives
The Sustainability Challenge gamified waste reduction and rewarded teams for environmental leadership.
1st Place: SSL Team Myanmar
Prize: Exclusive webinar hosted by an Olympic finalist
2nd Place: SSL Team Philippines
Prize: Sailing goodies package
3rd Place: SSL Team Oman
Prize: Sustainability goodies package
Measurable Impact By The Numbers
Between December 14 and December 22, the initiative delivered measurable results:
- 121.05 kg of operational waste recorded
- 70% diversion rate achieved through recycling and composting
- 144 kg of marine debris removed during community clean-ups
- 19 tonnes of CO₂ offset
- 100 trees planted
- 100% elimination of plastic bottles in the athlete village
