The Notice of Race for the 2026 29er World Championship, set to take place in early July at the Olympic Sailing Centre in Schilksee, Kiel, is now available online, officially opening entries for the event. The championship will gather the world’s leading young sailors for a week of competitive sailing on the renowned Kiel Fjord, known for its consistent winds and open race areas.
For several years, the 29er class has been a prominent part of Kiel’s youth sailing scene. It plays a vital role in major events such as YES (Young Europeans Sailing), one of Europe’s leading international youth regattas, and has been part of the Kieler Woche programme for decades. Our collaboration with the 29er class has developed significantly over this time. In conjunction with this partnership, Kiel has also hosted the 29er Euro Cup during Kieler Woche for numerous years, providing young sailors with a prestigious and recognised racing platform.
The upcoming World Championship will leverage the challenging conditions of the Kiel Fjord and the well-established infrastructure of the Olympic Centre, which has a long history of hosting international sailing events.
Kieler Yacht-Club Chairman Dr. Hauke Berndt highlights the event’s importance:
“We are very pleased that Kiel will be hosting the 29er World Championship in July. As a traditional sailing location, the fjord offers the best conditions for exciting races and attracts international sailors. Our partnership with the 29er class underscores our mutual goal of promoting youth and competitive sports and providing young talents with a platform to compete at the highest level.”
In preparation for the World Championship, Kiel will also host a Eurocup 29er during Kieler Woche, one of the largest and most prestigious sailing festivals globally. This Eurocup will give teams the chance to race in similar conditions and become accustomed to the local venue in advance of the World Championship.
The Eurocup 29er in Kiel last year featured an impressive display from Norwegian sailors Nicklas Holt and Philip Forslund, who not only won the competition against a strong international field but also later claimed victory in the 2025 29er World Championship. Their achievements at Schilksee set a high standard for this year’s competitors.
Pippa Kenton-Page, Executive Director of the International 29er Class Association, noted the global significance of the upcoming championship:
“We are thrilled to host our 2026 29er World Championships in the historic Olympic sailing waters of Kiel, Germany. This venue is prestigious both on and off the water, and we anticipate this event will be our largest ever, with participants coming from all over the world, highlighting the ongoing growth of the global 29er class. The 29er World Championships mark the pinnacle of our annual circuit with six days of competitive racing in multiple fleets and across three racecourses. Additionally, young sailors will have opportunities to engage socially, build new friendships, and participate in new experiences off the water during this exciting event as we aim to crown the 2026 29er World Champions in the Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed categories.”
The Olympic Sailing Centre in Schilksee offers world-class facilities paired with immediate access to diverse racecourses, making it an exceptional venue that blends competitive excellence with the vibrant atmosphere of one of sailing’s most historic locations.
With the Eurocup acting as a vital preparatory event, teams will have ample opportunities to enhance their performance and gain crucial experience on the local waters ahead of the World Championship. This combination of events establishes Kiel as a central hub for the international 29er circuit during early summer.
Further details, including the complete event schedule and entry information, are available in the official Notice of Race published online.
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