March 2, 2026
1 minute reading time
The 2025 eSailing World Championship Grand Final in Gdynia, Poland. Organised by World Sailing and Virtual Regatta and hosted by the Polish Yachting Association in Gdynia as part of the Gdynia Sailing Festival. Some of the world's top eSailors compete for the top step on the podium in a live final.
World Sailing’s all-female Steering the Course eSailing regatta charts a course for the live final in Stockholm
The 2026 edition of World Sailing’s all-female-only eSailing competition will launch on Monday 2 March as part of this year’s Steering the Course 2026 global women’s sailing festival. The competition offers the winner automatic qualification for the eSailing World Championship, as well as entry to the semi-finals and playoffs for the runner up and closest challengers.
The journey begins with Qualifier 7 of the eSailing World Championship, running from 2–5 March (closing at 12:00 UTC). This qualifier serves as the primary gateway for aspiring champions to secure their spot on the virtual start line.
The Final will feature a diverse and competitive 31-player field, comprised of:
- 10 players: Live-event entries (available on a first-come, first-served basis).
- 8 players: Top finishers from the Qualifier 7 ranking.
- 8 players: Nominations from Member National Authorities (MNAs).
- 5 players: Host MNA entries (Sweden).
Combining the accessibility of digital racing with the thrill of a live arena, the event will culminate in a hybrid Final on Sunday 15 March, hosted at the prestigious ‘Allt för sjön’ boat show in Stockholm, Sweden. The Final will be a hybrid event, allowing for both on-site competition in Stockholm and remote participation from anywhere in the world.
Alberto Carraro, eSailing Partnership Executive at World Sailing, said, “Steering the Course continues to be a vital catalyst for female participation in our sport. By integrating this eSailing event into the eSailing World Championship pathway, we are providing a global platform for women to showcase their strategic prowess and skill, whether they are racing from their homes or live on stage in Stockholm.”
How to Participate
In line with the mission of Steering the Course to reduce barriers to entry for women in sailing, the event is free to enter. Racing will take place on the Virtual Regatta platform, the world’s leading digital sailing community.
Participants can enter the qualifier starting 2 March by registering at virtualregatta.com.