A two-point margin, shifting conditions and a final-day battle with Erik Scheidt kept the championship undecided until the closing races in Vilamoura. Dal Ri held his nerve to secure the gold, while Brazil completed a one-two and Croatia’s Bepo Duplančić claimed bronze.
The LA28 sailing qualification cycle is underway, with the Asian Games awarding the first two continental quota places. Thailand dominated the women’s ILCA 6, while South Korea topped the men’s ILCA 7 in challenging conditions at Kaiyoh Yacht Harbor.
Brazil’s Francisco Dal Ri takes a two-point lead over compatriot Erik Scheidt into the final day of the 2026 ILCA 6 Men’s World Championship, after a fifth straight day of racing in contrasting conditions in Portugal. The world title will be decided between the two Brazilians on Friday.
Day four brought the lightest conditions of the championship so far in Vilamoura, and another twist at the top. Erik Scheidt moved back ahead of fellow Brazilian Francisco Dal Ri, the third change of leader in four days, with Spain’s Alberto Medel Castrillón holding steady in third as the championship heads into its final two days.
Brazilian sailors Francisco Dal Ri and Erik Scheidt lead the 2026 ILCA 6 Men’s World Championship after day three in Vilamoura. Dal Ri holds 9 net points, one ahead of Scheidt on 10, with Croatia’s Toma Smirčić third on 20 as the fleet completes all six scheduled opening races.
Brazil’s Francisco Dal Ri moved into the overall lead at the 2026 ILCA 6 Men’s World Championship after winning both races on day two in Vilamoura. Just four points separate the top four sailors, all aged 16 or 17, with Croatia’s Toma Smirčić one point behind.
Erik Scheidt leads the 2026 ILCA 6 Men’s World Championship after the opening day in Vilamoura, where two races were completed in shifting southeasterly winds of 12-16 knots. The Brazilian sits on four net points, ahead of Spain’s Alberto Medel Castrillón and fellow Brazilian Francisco Dal Ri.
Sailing got under way at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya 2026, with 13 ILCA 6 and 18 ILCA 7 sailors from across Asia set to race for the region’s only two LA 2028 Olympic sailing quotas. World Sailing President Quanhai Li and ASAF leadership visited the venue on opening day, as light winds delayed the start of ILCA racing.
The 2026 ILCA 6 Men’s World Championship gets underway in Vilamoura, Portugal, with 63 sailors from 18 countries set for six days of racing. The fleet features leading contenders including Youth World Champion Erik Scheidt, Lorenzo Ghirotti and Francisco Dal Ri.
Late applications are now open for the 2027 Performance Sailcraft ILCA Under-21 World Championships in Sandringham, Australia. With limited places available, eligible sailors can submit late applications until 11 December 2026.