A 63-boat international fleet prepares for six days of racing, with several of the season’s leading ILCA 6 sailors among the contenders.
The 2026 ILCA 6 Men’s World Championship is set to begin in Vilamoura, Portugal, bringing together 63 sailors from 18 countries for six days of racing off the Algarve coast.
The fleet includes several sailors arriving in Portugal with major international results this season. Brazil’s Erik Scheidt enters the championship as the 2026 ILCA 6 Youth World Champion, while Italy’s Lorenzo Ghirotti, bronze medallist at the same championship, also arrives in Vilamoura after finishing second at the 2026 ILCA 6 Men’s Senior Open European Championship.
Brazil’s Francisco Dal Ri adds further depth to the fleet after finishing fifth at the 2026 Youth European Open and third overall at the Central and South American Championship. Croatia’s Alec Cvinar brings senior World Championship experience, having finished sixth at the 2023 ILCA 6 Men’s World Championship.
The championship also marks a first for Vilamoura Sailing, with Villiams Osipovs becoming the first sailor representing Tajikistan to compete at the venue.
Friday was dedicated to registration and equipment inspection, as sailors completed the formal procedures required ahead of the championship. The pre-racing programme continues on Saturday morning with further registration and equipment inspection. A practice race is scheduled for the afternoon, followed by the coaches’ meeting and the official championship opening and welcome barbecue.
The Qualifying Series begins on Sunday, 27 September, with two back-to-back races scheduled each day. The Qualifying/Final Series is scheduled to begin on 30 September, provided four races have been completed. The championship concludes on 2 October, when the 2026 ILCA 6 Men’s World Champion will be decided.
Source: Vilamoura Sailing / Prow Group.