MyZA

News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff

You are here: Home / News / Sport / Entries Confirmed for 2026 Offshore Double Handed World Championship

Entries Confirmed for 2026 Offshore Double Handed World Championship

Returning medallists and high-profile contenders among the Marseille line-up

An international fleet of 19 teams representing 15 Member National Authorities across five continents has been officially confirmed for the 2026 Offshore Double Handed World Championship, set to take place in Marseille, France, from 23 September to 2 October 2026.

The prestigious event will bring together an elite mix of Olympic sailors, Ocean Race veterans, and emerging offshore talent representing Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, Uruguay, and the United States.

Notable milestones for this edition include the debut of the Irish team, marking the first time the nation has competed at the championship, and the return of Belgium to the lineup.

The confirmed line-up features a formidable contingent of returning competitors alongside new high-profile partnerships.

  • The Uruguayan pairing of Federico Waksman, winner of the 2023 Mini Transat, and Dominique Knüppel, a Tokyo 2020 Olympian in the Nacra 17 class and The Ocean Race Europe veteran, return to the circuit following an impressive third-place finish at the 2025 championship.
  • Sweden will be represented once again by the experienced duo of Anna Drougge, a veteran of the 2001–2002 Ocean Race, and Martin Angsell, who both bring extensive knowledge from their campaign in the previous two editions.
  • Representing Belgium, Jonas Gerckens and Djemila Tassin arrive in impressive form following a second-place result in the Globe 40, with both sailors also actively preparing for the upcoming Route du Rhum solo transatlantic race in the Class40 division.
  • Host nation France enters the competition with strong title ambitions, fielding defending champion Thomas Andrew, who returns alongside new partner Julia Colombe. The French squad is further bolstered by the standout entry of Christopher Pratt, a decorated offshore racer with an extensive pedigree spanning the Figaro circuit, Transat Jacques Vabre (now known as the Transat Café-L’Or), and The Ocean Race, who pairs with Mailys Radulic.

Matt Allen, Chair of World Sailing’s Oceanic & Offshore Committee, said, “World Sailing is very pleased to have such talented sailors from around the world coming to compete for the 2026 Offshore Double Handed World Championships in Marseille. It shows how strong double handed offshore competition has evolved in recent years. To have 19 talented teams from 15 countries across five continents is going to provide a tough and exhilarating challenge for the crews to be crowned the 2026 World Champion.”

Christophe Gaumont, Race Director, added, “It’s an honour to manage this the World Sailing Offshore Double Handed World Championships that will unite elite crews from around the world, each bringing unique culture and experiences to the competition. Competing on one-designed boats in the Mediterranean, the races are set to deliver thrilling and closely contested action.”

The 2026 Offshore Double Handed World Championship will be hosted by Cercle Nautique & Touristique du Lacydon (CNTL) of Marseille with collaboration with the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), Cap Regatta, and the Yacht Club de France and the support of the Fédération Française de Voile (FFV).

Teams will compete in an equalised fleet of supplied Sun Face 30 One Designs yachts, to ensure the winner is decided by performance on the water rather an equipment. More information about the championship can be found on the CNTL Marseille website.

Category: Tag:

If you feel strongly about this article then feel free to send MyZA a ‘Letter to the Editor’ using the submission form below:

Letter to the Editor

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
If this is in response to an article please include that article title here or as the lead in for the first paragraph of your Letter below.

Separate tags with commas

Localise your letter by naming the city your words are about. Add relevant words describing your subject. Single comma separated words of no more than 5
Your Name(Required)
Your Name will be linked to the website below.
Your personal, business or social media web site
Choose NO to not set up a user account on MyZA. User Accounts will allow you to submit letters under your own Author Name

3 Latest Letters to the Editor:

  • Fun South African fact

    Dear Editor Fun South African fact: towns like Franschhoek and Stellenbosch are home to world-class wine farms set in stunning, scenic surroundings. Regards Aressa Smith In Response to/From: Luxury Properties Seized in New Lottery Crackdown

  • Condolences on the Passing of Lusanda Dumke

    Statement by Leander Kruger MPL – DA Buffalo City Constituency Leader: The Democratic Alliance in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality mourns the passing of Springbok Women’s rugby player and Mdantsane trailblazer, Lusanda Dumke, who lost her battle with cancer at the age of 28. South Africa has lost an exceptional athlete, a leader, and a source…

  • Rape Kits Delivered, But…

    Statement by Nicholas Gotsell MP – DA NCOP Member on Security & Justice: The DA can confirm that 2 840 rape kits arrived in Cape Town on Monday, following sustained DA oversight and pressure after multiple police stations across the Western Cape were found to be without this critical forensic evidence tool. While this delivery…

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Australia’s Donald Bradman (The Don) is considered the greatest batsman of all time. He has an unmatched 99.94 Test batting average – the best performance among all other players in all sports. Many fans believe there will never be another player like him.

  2. Alec Stewart, OBE had a batting average of 39.54. This is the lowest for a player who has scored at least 8000 runs. Stewart holds a score of 8,463 Test runs. This figure is significant because Stewart was born on April 8, 1963 (8/4/63). He is also the cricketer with the highest Test runs who does not have a career double history.