World Sailing is excited to confirm that the 2026 Youth Match Racing World Championship will take place in the picturesque waters of Middelfart, Denmark, from 21-25 June 2026. This prestigious event aims to gather the best young talents in match racing from across the globe, competing in intense and close-quarter races in the Lillebælt strait.
Middelfart is well-regarded for its superb match racing conditions, featuring shifty winds and manageable currents, which promise both challenges and thrilling dynamics for young competitors.
The championship is being organised in collaboration with Dansk Sejlunion (Danish Sailing Association), Go Sail, and the Middelfart Sailing Club, which has a track record of successfully hosting the Women’s Match Racing World Championships in 2015 and 2023. This history affirms the venue’s capability and the high level of organisation provided by the local team.
Eligibility for the event includes sailors aged under 23 years on 31 December 2026. Each team must consist of four or five members, with at least one female and one male sailor included, and a combined total weight limit of 350kg.
National teams will compete in a fleet of supplied one-design Blu26 boats, which aim to ensure a level playing field that highlights skill, offering high speeds and agility when fully-crewed.
The competition will unfold over five rounds: a round robin, knock-out quarter finals, a third stage for determining fifth to eighth place, semi-finals leading to the Grand Final, and a Petit Final for deciding the third and fourth places. This one-on-one duel format necessitates tactical prowess, precise boat handling, and exceptional teamwork, serving as a training ground for athletes aspiring to reach the highest levels of the sport, including the Olympic Games and the World Match Racing Tour.
The Notice of Race for the 2026 Youth Match Racing World Championship can be viewed and downloaded here.
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