Today started off with light westerly winds which quickly turned into a storm with heavy showers pouring down on the sailors and 28 knots. The race was quickly abandoned as the wind kept changing directions and restarted a few hours later as the sun came back out, but so did the 32 knots of mistral winds from the west. After 3 hours AP/A was displayed.
Hyères World Championship 2026 © João Saraiva Mendes
Hyères World Championship 2026 © João Saraiva Mendes
Like Mother like son! World champion SB20
William Borghesi is the youngest skipper to win a championship in Kidzink Youth. His mother Charlotte Borghesi was the first female winner and skipper, to win in Dubai 2024! Charlotte said: “all I cared about today was William and I just couldn’t focus on our sailing our boat during the race”.
Hyères World Championship 2026 © João Saraiva Mendes
Now Vice champion Socare Marbrerie helmed by Julien Bunel, Olympic 470 sailor, is “super happy with our result after another boat broke our mast yesterday during the 6th race”.
In third place is Corinthian Lynx from France. Pierre Yves said the “weather was crazy today but are proud to be vice champions!”
Ares first women winners were hoping to gain more points to beat Lynx only one point ahead but are still happy to be 1st in the women’s category.
Hyères World Championship 2026 © João Saraiva Mendes
The Nations Cup was extremely tight between France who led with their top three boats in 2nd, 3rd, and 5th and won the Nations Cup.
Overall winners in all categories:
1st and overall winner with only 13 points after 6 races: Team Kidzink Youth (UAE): William Borghesi, Matteo Barison, Federico Zampiccoli, Goncalo Lopes
2nd overall and first Youth: Team Socare Marbrerie (FRA): Julien Bunel, Sylvestre De Giuli Morghen, Thomas Hautier
3rd overall and Corinthian winner: Team Lynx (FRA): Pierre Yves Lambert, Soren Bernillon, Baptiste Clamer, Jean Philippe Boudard
1st Female team: Team Ares (AUS): Eirini Marios, Paige Caldecoat, Faye Chatterton, Marc Spearman
1st Masters: Team Oro PBII Twenty (GBR): Mark Gillett, Richard Anderton, Paul Hine
Hyères World Championship 2026 © João Saraiva Mendes
Ed Russo stated: “The 2026 SB20 world championship is a wrap. Hyères finished the 5th day of racing delivered 2 days of strong easterly wind which were so strong we couldn’t race, and then the mistral blew in with a steady breeze at 20-25 knots and gusts up to 30. A big thank you to the 66 teams from 16 countries and 5 continents.”
The next Worlds, Sept 3rd – 11th 2027, are in Torquay, Devon, UK and it is already getting expressions of interest. https://worlds2027.sb20class.org.
Thank you, Mensa Praktijk!
A big thank you to the physiotherapy team from Mensa Praktijk, who came all the way from Belgium to look after our sailors throughout this tough week, even on the stormy day and even when there was no racing. Absolute stars!
Hyères World Championship 2026 © João Saraiva Mendes
Links:
Overall results – Results are final after 6 races
Photos & Videos from Day 5:
Link to Photo Album of Day 5 – Photo credits: ©João Saraiva Mendes