Brazil’s Erik Scheidt leads the 2026 ILCA 6 Men’s World Championship after the opening day of racing in Vilamoura, where two races were completed in southeasterly winds ranging from 12 to 16 knots.
The championship opened with strong sailing conditions off the Algarve coast. The first race was held in approximately 16 knots from 110-120 degrees, before the breeze eased to around 12 knots for the second race. A significant wind shift during the second race added a further tactical element for the fleet.
After two races, Scheidt sits at the top of the overall standings with four net points. Spain’s Alberto Medel Castrillón is second with five points, while Brazil’s Francisco Dal Ri is third with seven.
Croatia’s Toma Smirčić ended the opening day in fourth place on 14 points, followed by Greece’s Mihalis Koulianos in fifth with 15 points.
The early lead puts Scheidt at the front of an international fleet of 60 sailors from 18 countries competing for the ILCA 6 Men’s world title in Vilamoura. The Brazilian entered the championship as the reigning ILCA 6 Youth World Champion following a strong 2026 season that also included victories at Kiel Week and the Youth European Championship.
Francisco Dal Ri gives Brazil a second sailor inside the top three. The Clube dos Jangadeiros athlete arrived in Vilamoura after winning the Brazilian National Championship and Youth Cup in 2026, as well as finishing sixth at the Youth European Championship in Greece.
Mark Lyttle, President of ILCA, welcomed the international fleet to Vilamoura and highlighted the venue’s role in hosting major international sailing competitions.
“Vilamoura provides an outstanding setting for this important ILCA championship, with excellent sailing conditions, first-class facilities and a long-standing tradition of hosting major international sailing events. We are delighted to return to Portugal and look forward to an exciting week of racing on the waters of the Algarve,”
With the first two races completed, the championship remains in its early stages and the fleet returns to the water on Monday for the second day of racing.
ABOUT VILAMOURA SAILING
Vilamoura Sailing is the world’s largest dinghy sailing center, renowned for hosting elite sailing events and attracting top athletes from around the globe. Nestled in the heart of the Algarve, it provides world-class facilities, ideal sailing conditions, and a vibrant atmosphere for athletes and fans alike.
Vilamoura Sailing / Prow Group
www.vilamourasailing.com
Photos
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