Strong offshore winds and rain showers set the tone on Day 1 of the 2026 ILCA Under-21 World Championships in Playa Blanca. Two races were completed across all fleets, with reigning champions and rising stars seizing early leads in a challenging and tactical opening to the regatta.
The 2026 ILCA Under-21 World Championships got underway today in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, Spain, with the completion of the first two scheduled races.
Strong, gusty and shifty winds coming off the shore, combined with intermittent rain showers, tested the sailors throughout the day. The challenging conditions demanded maximum focus, smart decision-making, and solid boat handling, as competitors worked to capitalize on the conditions, avoid capsizing, and stay warm on the water.
The day began at 09:30 with the coaches’ meeting at the Race Office. The Women’s fleet was the first to be sent afloat at 10:45, followed by the Men’s fleets at 10:55 and 11:20.
The first set of races started around 13:00. After completing all six races scheduled for the day, all fleets returned to shore to recover, relax, and prepare for the action to resume tomorrow.
After two races per fleet, reigning U21 European champion Ginevra Caracciolo ITA leads the Women’s Championship with 3 points, following a strong 1–2 scoreline. She’s followed by 2024 ILCA 6 Youth European champion Alina Shapovalova UKR on 5 points and reigning ILCA 6 Youth World champion Hermione Ghicas GRE with 6 points.
“It was a very difficult day. We had wind coming from the land, very gusty and shifty. It was hard to read the racecourse, but I managed to sail two good races. The key today was to stay focused throughout the race and take advantage of every gust we could,” said Women’s leader Ginevra Caracciolo after racing.
In the Men’s U21 championship, Mark Hestbæck DEN and Karol Krupski Teterycz ESP share the lead, both posting perfect scores after winning both races in their respective fleets. Third place is held by 2024 Youth Sailing World champion Antonio Pascali ITA with 5 points.
“The breeze treated me quite well and I managed to put together two solid races. It’s a long regatta — six days — and this is only the first day, really a marathon, so it’s important to stay focused and keep a clear head,” said Men’s leader Mark Hestbæck.
The Men’s U19 Championship is led by Kutsal Gunes Kurnaz TUR, who sits 10th overall with 14 points. He is followed by Hamish Crabb AUS, just two points behind. Federico Cittadini ITA completes the podium, holding 21st place overall with 26 points.
A total of 12 races are scheduled from 19 to 24 January, culminating in the crowning of the 2026 ILCA Under-21 World Champions.
A fleet of 148 sailors — comprising 96 ILCA 7 men and 52 ILCA 6 women — from all seven ILCA regions around the world has gathered in the Canary Islands for a week of top-level racing, international camaraderie, and memorable on-the-water experiences.
The championship is organised by Marina Rubicón and sponsored by the Cabildo of Lanzarote, through the Island Sports Service; SPEL–Turismo Lanzarote, through its sports tourism brand Lanzarote Sports Destination; the Centres of Art, Culture and Tourism of the Cabildo of Lanzarote; the Town Council of Yaiza; and Tourism of the Canary Islands, with the collaboration, among others, of the Canary Islands Sailing Federation, DinghyCoach and the Latin Sailing federations.
How to follow the 2026 ILCA Under-21 World Championships
Daily reports, including links to results and photos, will be published on ilcasailing.org. Full event information is also available on the official event website: https://2026ilcau21.ilca-worlds.org/
Live action featuring interviews, videos, and photos will be shared daily across ILCA’s social media channels. Follow and subscribe to stay up to date with all the latest news:
Report by Agustín Argüelles – ILCA | Photos by Jesus Renedo – Sailing Energy.