Thunder Stops Racing on Day 3 of 2026 ILCA 7 Masters Worlds

2026 ILCA 7 Master Worlds Day 3

The third day of the 2026 ILCA 7 Masters World Championship in Athens saw one race completed before approaching thunderstorms forced the abandonment of racing for the remainder of the day.

Racing got underway on schedule in a steady 6–10-knot south-westerly breeze from 220–240 degrees. Flat water and stable conditions provided fair racing across all fleets, with the first race completed without delay.

Racing was later suspended when an approaching thunderstorm system moved into the area. AP over Hotel was displayed at 12:15, before AP over Alpha was raised at 13:30, confirming the abandonment of racing for the day on safety grounds.

Great Grand Masters sailor Emilio Castelli USA praised both the level of competition and the organisation of the championship: “The championship is very competitive and this is evident from the results in most categories and from the presence of past world champions. We are not young, but the spark still burns within us for the best possible result. I would like to congratulate the race committee and the organizing group for the level of the event both on and off the water. I live in California and if the championship is held in Greece again, you can be sure that I will be here again!”

Leaders After Five Races

Apprentices (30–44 years)

  1. Mihalis Koulianos GRE – 7 pt
  2. Alexios Katsios GRE – 7 pt
  3. John Sweeny AUS – 12 pt

Masters (45–54 years)

  1. Adonis Bougiouris GRE – 5 pt
  2. Alessandro Sartorelli ITA – 9 pt
  3. Casey Brendan AUS – 11 pt

Grand Masters (55–64 years)

  1. Robert Hallaway USA – 10 pt
  2. Mark Lyttle GBR – 14 pt
  3. Roger Schulz GER – 19 pt

Great Grand Masters (65–74 years)

  1. Allan Clark CAN – 11 pt
  2. Andre Martinie FRA – 16 pt
  3. Stephen Gunter AUS – 16 pt

Legends (75 and over)

  1. Greg Jackson USA – 5 pt
  2. Don Hahl USA – 8 pt
  3. John Roberson AUS – 8 pt

With five races now completed, the championship remains wide open across several divisions, with close scores setting up an exciting continuation of the series once racing resumes. Tomorrow will remain a scheduled rest day, while Sunday’s programme has been adjusted to include three races in order to stay on track for the full 12-race series. Further racing is scheduled as sailors continue their pursuit of world championship honours in Athens.

The event is organised by the Nautical Club of Kalamaki and the ILCA Class Association, in collaboration with the Hellenic Sailing Federation, and sponsored by ONEX Shipyards & Technologies, Chery Spanos SA, ANMA, Shell, Arbitrage, Colliers, Paralos, Gaviotis Travel, ΒΙΚΟΣ, Zhik, ODS, S&M, Marinepool, NOTOS, ACT, In The Loop, Amvrosia, and Lavdas.

Further information, results, photos and videos are available on the official event website. Follow the ILCA website and social media channels for daily reports and updates from Athens.

How to follow / Useful links:

Report by Agustín Argüelles – ILCA / Photos by Harris Gkaniatsas – Nautical Club of Kalamaki.

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