The Hyères Regatta 2026, hosted by the International Yacht Club de Hyères (IYCH) from 8–10 May, provided a spectacular and multifaceted preview of what awaits the global fleet this October. With 14 boats on the start line, the event served as a high-stakes training ground, pushing both local veterans and international visitors to their limits on the future World Championship racecourse.
Day 1: Tactical precision in light winds
The championship opened with quintessential Mediterranean charm. Following a smooth morning of crane operations and a midday briefing, the fleet headed out to the Rade d’Hyères to find light, technical conditions: 8 knots of southerly breeze and a flat, sun-drenched sea.
It was a day that rewarded finesse over raw power. Two races were completed and it was Team Rhapsodie, led by Cédric Petit le Manach, that emerged with two bullets as the early leaders. Their mastery of the light air saw them dominate the opening day, setting a high bar for the rest of the fleet. A third race attempt was thwarted by unstable wind shifts and a general recall, sending the sailors back to the base for a well-deserved aperitif.
Day 2: the Hyères engine starts
On Saturday, the venue showed its teeth. The “typical” Hyères engine hummed to life with an easterly breeze of 16 knots and a building chop. This was a day of constant adaptation; the course was a tactical puzzle where the “paying” side switched between left and right from leg to leg.
Pierre-Yves Lambert and his team on Lynx found their gear in this breeze. Demonstrating exceptional boat speed, they secured two bullets and a third-place finish. Lambert noted the rising level of competition, observing that “the teams in Hyères are getting faster and faster.” Boumian, helmed by Gilles Simonneaux and Yves Sylverto, remained a constant shadow to the leaders, keeping the podium battle incredibly tight heading into the finale.
Day 3: thunder, rain and a Black Flag showdown
Day 3 brought a total shift in atmosphere. The fleet awoke to heavy rain, rolling thunderstorms and a fierce easterly breeze that whipped up a significant chop across the race area. A morning squall forced a postponement, but the resilient committee finally got racing underway at 12:30.
The tension was palpable. With the overall title on the line, the fleet was aggressive at the start, resulting in a general recall. The race committee responded with the Black Flag and the final race of the regatta was held under maximum pressure in 20 knots of wind.
For Team Lynx, it was a come-from-behind masterclass. Entering the day two points behind the leaders, they utilised superior tactics and heavy-air speed to clinch the final race win – and with it, the overall title. “We were two points behind,” – Lambert shared, – “but we had a good tactic and a good speed to win this last race. With happiness!”
The battle for the top spot was the Club’s celebration. Cédric Petit le Manach, representing the hosting International Yacht Club de Hyères, expressed immense pride in the team’s performance aboard Rhapsodie, despite a heartbreaking finish.
Reflecting on the weekend, the Rhapsodie crew – including Jean-Pierre Becquet and Dimitri Deruelle – noted that they led nearly the entire regatta, only to lose the top spot in the very last race. “Beautiful three-day regatta,” – the team shared. – “Still work to do in the breeze to be ready for the Worlds… It was a close “family” match with brother Aymeric for Dimitri Deruelle on Boumian!”
Final Overall Standings:
- Lynx (FRA 3837) – Pierre-Yves Lambert
- Rhapsodie (FRA 3721) – Cédric Petit le Manach
- Boumian (FRA 3654) – Yves Sylverto
Road to Hyères 2026: the 90-boat goal
Beyond racing the buzz in the boatyard was focused on October. French SB20 Class President Ed Russo remains highly optimistic about the upcoming World Championships, emphasising that the chance to race in Hyères is something any SB20 sailor should pass up.
As Ed highlighted the Rade d’Hyères is not just any racecourse – it is the legendary home of the Semaine Olympique Française (French Olympic Sailing Week). For decades, these waters have been the proving ground for the world’s elite Olympic athletes, and this October, the SB20 fleet gets to take centre stage in the same prestigious “stadium.”
“We have 75 teams pre-registered and there are 2-3 boats in each country that haven’t registered, but are coming,” – Ed noted. – “We appreciate everyone’s effort to make that 90-boat objective, which has been the strategy for the Class in the last two years.”
If you want to test yourself on the same legendary lines as the Olympians, now is the time to commit!
What’s next?
While the IYCH organizers and volunteers celebrated a successful event, the teams are already looking ahead. The victorious Team Lynx will continue to compete locally before heading to Cowes in July for the UK Nationals, sign-ups for which are already counting over 30 boats. For the rest of the SB20 world, the message from Hyères is clear: the racecourse is ready, the competition will be fierce and the 2026 Hyéres SB20 World Championship promises to be an unmissable chapter in the Class’s history.
Full gallery & official results
- Photo Gallery (Thanks to Héléne Urutti):
