The temperatures in Denmark and the intensity on the water keep rising at Youth Match Racing Worlds 2026 in Middelfart, Denmark. Daniel Kemp (AUS) wins the round robin.
June 23, 2026 – Middelfart, Denmark: A marathon-like effort with 12 hours of sailing yesterday had not taken its toll on the competitors at the Youth Match Racing Worlds 2026. Today’s racing was intense, as the fleet completed the round robin just after noon today.
The wind conditions in the racing area were not as light as predicted, and the event organisers easily finished the remaining three flights in the round robin in 6 to 12 knots of breeze.
Australian skipper Daniel Kemp and his teammates came out on top with nine wins and two losses, followed closely by five teams with eight points each.
“It was a pretty hectic finish of the round robin with two close races against Morgan Pinckney (USA) and Ethan Fong (NZL). We won both, so it was great to get those wins, enabling us to win the round robin and have the first pick at our opponent in the quarter finals. We chose Danish skipper Victor Melchior, should be great fun,” said Daniel Kemp just minutes before the first race of the quarters, which they won, giving them a 1-0 lead over the Dane.
The first boat to three points advances to the semifinals.
Kiwi skipper Ethan Fong and his crew are also through to the quarter finals as one of five boats with eight wins in the round robin. They will face the French team with Marin Micoulot at the helm.
“We had a good meeting with Marin in the round robin and were lucky to come out on top. But, it is close racing out there and no one is easy. We are excited to race him,” Ethan Fong said about his team’s chances against the French team, who are ready for the challenge in light winds.
Danish skipper Mathias Rossing finished second in the round robin and chose Theo Westerlind (SWE) as their opponent in the quarter finals.
“The round robin was extremely close with five teams ending up with eight wins. Luckily, we were able to come out at the top end, and we are happy to get to sail against the Swedes,” Rossing said before their first race against their Scandinavian opponents, which they won, before racing was abandoned due to a lack of wind.
The forecast for Wednesday promises yet another hot day with light winds, with a chance of a stronger breeze later in the day. This makes it likely to complete all scheduled races over the coming two days and crown the new world champions on Thursday.
Event Information
If you’d like to follow the event, here are some useful links:
Event website: https://gosail.dk/youth-match-racing-worlds-2026/
Results: https://www.matchracingresults.com/2026/youth-world-championship/
Official photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gosailworlds2023/albums
Official videos: https://www.youtube.com/@gosail2017/videos
Social media: https://www.facebook.com/gosaildk
Event facts
- Youth Match Racing Worlds 2026 – powered by Bunker One takes place from 21–25 June 2026 in Middelfart, Denmark.
- The event is organised by GoSail in cooperation with Middelfart Sailing Club and other partners.
- Racing takes place directly off the newly renovated Middelfart Marina.
- The marina provides one of the best spectator venues in international match racing.
- Match racing is a sailing discipline where two boats compete head-to-head in tactical duels.
- Denmark has a proud tradition in match racing, highlighted by Jesper Bank’s Olympic gold medal in Sydney in 2000.
Skippers include Theo Westerlind (SWE), Daniel Kemp (AUS), Philip Forslund (NOR), Marin Micoulot (FRA), Morgan Pinckney (USA), Konosuke Miura (JPN), Mathias Rossing (DEN), Victor Melchior (DEN), Jamie Tylecote (GBR), and Ethan Fong (NZL).
@gosaildk #YouthMatchRacing
Interested in seeing more Racing News? Click here
