Kidzink Youth Crowned SB20 World Champions After Stormy Finale in Hyères
SB20 World Championship 2026 – Results
Overall winner: Kidzink Youth, skippered by William Borghesi (UAE)
Women’s winner: Ares, skippered by Eirini Marios (AUS)
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The UAE’s Kidzink Youth, skippered by William Borghesi, has claimed the 2026 SB20 World Championship in Hyères, France, following a dramatic final day of racing disrupted by heavy rain, shifting winds and gusts reaching 32 knots.
The championship concluded on Friday 23 October after five days of challenging conditions, with 66 teams from 16 countries and five continents competing for the world title.
Storms Disrupt Final Day
The final day began with light westerly winds, but conditions quickly deteriorated as heavy showers swept across the racecourse and winds increased to 28 knots.
Racing was abandoned as the wind continued to shift direction, with the race committee attempting another start several hours later when the sunshine returned.
However, the improving weather brought even stronger winds, with the Mistral building to 32 knots from the west.
After approximately three hours of attempting to complete racing, the race committee displayed AP over A, signalling that no further racing would take place that day.
With no additional results recorded, the championship standings remained unchanged.
Mother and Son Make SB20 History
Kidzink Youth’s victory was particularly special for the Borghesi family.
William Borghesi became the youngest skipper to win the SB20 World Championship, following in the footsteps of his mother, Charlotte Borghesi, who became the first female skipper to win the title in Dubai in 2024.
Charlotte admitted that watching her son compete for the championship made it difficult to concentrate on her own racing.
“All I cared about today was William and I just couldn’t focus on our sailing during the race,” she said.
French Teams Complete the Podium
France’s Socare Marbrerie, helmed by Olympic 470 sailor Julien Bunel, finished second overall despite suffering a broken mast during Race 6 the previous day.
Bunel was delighted with the result following the team’s equipment problems.
The French Corinthian team Lynx completed the overall podium in third place after a consistent championship.
The Lynx crew described the final day’s weather as particularly challenging but were pleased with their performance throughout the event.
Australian Women Claim Category Victory
Australia’s Ares crew secured first place in the women’s category after a strong championship.
The Australian team had hoped to improve its overall position on the final day, with Lynx just one point ahead, but the cancellation of racing prevented any further opportunity to close the gap.
Nevertheless, the crew finished the event as the leading women’s team, adding an Australian success to the championship results.
Challenging Conditions Throughout the Championship
The 2026 Worlds tested competitors with a wide range of conditions, including two days of strong easterly winds that prevented racing, followed by the arrival of the Mistral.
SB20 Class representative Ed Russo reflected on the challenging week.
“The 2026 SB20 World Championship is a wrap,” Russo said.
“Hyères finished the fifth day of racing having delivered two days of strong easterly wind which were so strong we couldn’t race, and then the Mistral blew in with a steady breeze at 20–25 knots and gusts up to 30.”
He also thanked the 66 teams representing 16 countries and five continents for taking part.
Torquay to Host 2027 SB20 Worlds
The SB20 World Championship now moves to Torquay, Devon, in the United Kingdom, where the 2027 edition is scheduled for 3–11 September.
Organisers have already begun receiving expressions of interest for next year’s event.
Further information is available on the 2027 SB20 World Championship website.
For more information about the SB20 class and updates, visit www.sb20class.org
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