2026 Worlds Day 1 Recap - Regatta Opens in San Diego with Two Races with Mixed Results

published 05/12/2026

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. — After a brief morning postponement under San Diego’s signature “May Gray” marine layer, racing officially got underway Monday at the 2026 International Etchells World Championship hosted by San Diego Yacht Club. The clouds eventually burned off, revealing sunshine and a steady 8–10 knot westerly breeze that settled across the Coronado Roads Race Course for the remainder of the afternoon.

The Race Committee completed two 90-minute races for the 76-boat fleet representing 11 countries. Competitors started on a half-mile-long starting line before tackling 1.8-nautical-mile upwind legs in four-lap races that tested both patience and precision in the moderate conditions.

Race management benefitted from the class-wide use of Vakaros race technology, which allowed sailors and officials to quickly identify boats over early at the start line, helping ensure fair and efficient starts throughout the day. Principal Race Officer Mark Foster praised the efficiency of the operation after racing concluded. 

“We start on time, we don’t have any penalty flags, everyone sails every race, and our time on the water is very effective,” said Foster.

The opening race saw the right side of the course pay significantly on the first beat. Reigning World Champion James Mayo aboard AUS 1526, sailing with Ben Lamb and Paul Cayard, won the pin end of the start but elected to head left, ultimately rounding the first mark mid-fleet.

Capitalizing on the favored right side was one of the pre-regatta favorites, USA 1527 RayGun, skippered by Austin Sperry with Noel Drennan and John Kostecki onboard. The American team rounded first and controlled the race from start to finish, claiming the opening victory of the championship. Jay Cross aboard USA 1464 finished second, while local sailor Chris Busch aboard USA 969 secured third.

The second start featured another right shift immediately off the line, prompting much of the fleet to tack early toward the favored side. Busch again showed strong speed, leading the early charge up the first beat. As the afternoon progressed, the breeze softened slightly and the fleet spread out across the 7.2-mile racecourse.

“We had good starts, and that is huge in this fleet,” said Busch. “We tacked onto port about 20 seconds before the second group in the middle of the line, which is not normal, but we had the settings dialed in for these conditions.”

Mayo and the AUS 1526 team rebounded impressively from their 28th-place finish in Race 1 to win the second race of the day.

At the end of Day 1, Scott Kaufman aboard USA 1519 sits atop the leaderboard with 10 points after finishing second in Race 2. Kaufman posted the most consistent scores of the day, recording the fleet’s only pair of top-10 finishes alongside crewmates Lucas Calabrese, Gonçalo Ribeiro, and Hugo Rocha.

Among the top-performing Corinthian teams on opening day was Sarah Wilkinson, sailing alongside her brother Ben Wilkinson and college teammate Keenan Hilsinger. The trio finished as the top Corinthian boat in the first race of the championship, holding their own against a fleet stacked with world champions and professional talent.

“We love sailing Corinthian and we love sailing with the best of the best,” said Wilkinson during the post-race social at San Diego Yacht Club. “That’s exactly the level of competition we’re getting here. We’re out there racing with beers and having fun, but we’re also here to do our best. Today we sailed the lifted tacks well and found some good lanes to battle with the pros.”

Racing at the 2026 International Etchells World Championship continues Tuesday on the Coronado Roads Race Course off Point Loma, with two to three races scheduled daily through Friday.