World Sailing President celebrates record-breaking Optimist World Championship in Morocco

His presence highlighted the importance of the regatta within the international sailing community and celebrated the vital role of the Optimist class plays in developing the next generation of sailors. 

The championship marked a historic milestone for youth sailing, bringing together a record-breaking 284 sailors from 70 nations and regions at the Royal Tangier Yacht Club. It also represented a landmark moment for sailing in Africa, marking only the second time the event has been hosted on the African continent, returning 30 years after the 1996 edition in Langebaan, South Africa. 

World Sailing President, Quanhai Li, said, “A strong Optimist division is important for a strong sport overall. For many it is their first introduction to the sport and to have such a thriving World Championship shows that the future of sailing is bright. My thanks to the Royal Tangier Yacht Club and Royal Moroccan Sailing Federation for delivering such an impressive event and providing the platform for the next generation of sailors to perform at such a high level, learn from each other and build bonds that transcend competition.” 

On the water, Manuel Bragança of Brazil delivered an outstanding performance to become the 2026 Optimist World Champion, finishing first overall with a net score of 65 points. He was awarded the Beacon Challenge Cup as the first sailor overall and the Peter Barclay Trophy as the first boy. The overall open podium was completed by Elliot Novara of Switzerland, who secured second overall with 89 points, and Andrei Zhakhov of Malta, who finished third overall with 98 points. 

In the girls’ division, Ines Mendez-Larminaux of Puerto Rico proved to be the top female competitor, finishing an impressive sixth overall with 120 points to claim the Helen Mary Wilkes Trophy. The female podium was completed by Margaux Nguyen-Minh of Hong Kong, China, finishing 14th overall with 184 points, and Mara Peñalver of Spain, who placed 20th overall with 215 points. 

The prestigious team awards further showcased the depth of international youth talent. The IODA Challenge Cup, awarded to the winner of the Optimist Team Race World Championship, was captured by Spain for the third consecutive year, confirming the nation’s outstanding consistency and tactical strength at the world level.  

Meanwhile, the Jacobsen Trophy for the top national team was won by Brazil with a combined score of 929 points. Calculated using the four best-ranked sailors from each eligible nation, Brazil’s triumph was led by the collective performances of Manuel Bragança, João Lucena, Arthur Lamin, and Thomas Piras de Oliveira. 

The 2026 edition in Tangier will be remembered as a historic success, functioning as a catalyst for global youth participation and anchoring a bright future for the sport on the African continent. 

Images by Matias Capizzano.