2026 Youth Match Racing World Championship heads to Denmark

This world-class event will bring together the brightest young talent in match racing from around the globe to compete in intense, close-quarters competition in the Lillebælt strait.

Middelfart is renowned for its excellent match racing conditions, including shifty winds and manageable currents, which promise challenging and dynamic racing for the youth competitors.

The championship is being hosted in partnership with Dansk Sejlunion (Danish Sailing Association), Go Sail and the Middelfart Sailing Club, hosts of the 2015 and 2023 Women’s Match Racing World Championships. This history of success underscores the venue’s capability and the high level of organisational excellence provided by the local team.

David Graham, CEO of World Sailing, said, “We are delighted to bring one of our flagship youth events back to Denmark. Middelfart is a phenomenal location that offers not only superb conditions for match racing but also a wonderful, engaging atmosphere for our young sailors. The Youth Match Racing World Championship is a crucial step in the career development of our sport’s future stars, and we are confident that the 2026 edition will be memorable and a huge success for one of sailing’s fastest-growing discipline.”

The event is open to sailors who will be under the age of 23 on 31 December 2026, and will comprise four or five members per boat, including at least one female and one male sailor, with a total weight limit of 350kg.

National teams will compete in a fleet of supplied one-design Blu26 boats to ensure a level playing field focused purely on skill while delivering high speeds and agility when fully-crewed.

Competition takes place over five rounds: a round robin, a knock-out quarter final round, a third stage to determine fifth to eighth place, semi-finals and the Grand Final, with a Petit Final to determine third and fourth place.

The one-on-one duel format demands tactical acumen, boat handling precision, and exceptional teamwork, serving as a proving ground for those aiming for 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.

Photo credit: Mick Anderson, GoSail