Racing heats up at Youth Match Racing World Championships in Denmark

Apparently, the marathon-like effort with 12 hours of sailing yesterday had not taken it’s toll on the competitors at the Youth Match Racing Worlds 2026 – powered by Bunker One. 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 by no less than five teams at 8 points. “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 to get those two 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 and go into Wednesday’s racing with a 1-0 lead over the Dane,” he said.

The first boat to three points advances to the semifinals.

Kiwi skipper Ethan Fong and his crew are also on to the quarter finals as one of five boats with 8 wins in the round robin. Here they will face the French team with Marin Micoulot at the helm.

“We had a good meeting with Marin in the round robin and we were lucky to come out on top. But, it is close racing out there and no one is easy, but we are exited to race him, Ethan Fong says about his team’s chances against the French team who are up for the challenge in the light winds. Light winds, strong winds – it doesn’t matter much for us. We are exited to be racing here at the Worlds, and we are ready to show our best on the course,” says Marin Micoulo (FRA).

Danish skipper Mathias Rossing was 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 says before their first race against their Scandinavian opponents – which they ended up winning, before the racing was abandoned due to 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. In other words – the long day yesterday makes it highly possible to complete all scheduled races over the coming two days and put a gold medal on the new world champions on Thursday,” he said.

Racing continues tomorrow.

Text and images courtesy of Mick Anderson, Press Officer – Youth Match Racing Worlds 2026 – powered by Bunker One.