The ISAF Youth Worlds was first held in Sweden in 1971.

The 420 dinghy has been the equipment of choice for the two-person dinghy events and used almost continuously since 1971, and continues to be selected for future events.

France is the current holder of the NationsTrophy, awarded annually to the top performing nation at the Youth Worlds. The Nations Trophy was first introduced in 1991 and France is the most succesful nation through the history of the Championship.