Sailors from across the globe are gathering at San Diego Yacht Club (SDYC) for the 2026 Etchells World Championship, with official measurement taking place this week ahead of racing, which begins Monday, May 11, and continues with 2-3 races planned per day through Friday, May 15.
Photo: Mark Albertazzi
The Worlds return to the United States after back-to-back championships in Australia. San Diego previously hosted the Etchells Worlds in 2011 and 2000, and both winning teams from those regattas will be represented this year. 2011 world champion skipper Bill Hardesty will crew aboard John Dane III’s DanEgerous (USA 1426) - the 2024 North American Champion - while 2000-winning crew member Rick Merriman returns to helm his own boat, Big E (USA 1452), competing for the Grandmasters Trophy, awarded to teams with a combined crew age greater than 150 years.
The 2025, 2024, and 2023 world champions will all be in attendance. Team Magpie (AUS 1525), led by James Mayo, will look to complete a hat trick after back-to-back victories in Melbourne and Fremantle. John Sommi returns with his entire 2023 Miami-winning crew: Beccy Anderson, Victor Diaz de Leon, and Will Ryan.
Among the top teams to watch is RayGun (USA 1527) skippered by Olympian Austin Sperry. Last month, Sperry and his crew handily won the Etchells Orca Bowl pre-Worlds regatta, finishing in the top three in all but one of five races.
Photo: Mark Albertazzi
A new trophy will also debut this year in recognition of the continued growth of female participation in sailing. Under the leadership of SDYC Commodore Alli Bell, a new perpetual award for the Best Female Team at the Etchells World Championship has been introduced.
“San Diego Yacht Club has a long, proud history of hosting major world-class events. Our race committee is top-notch, our facilities provide everything a sailor could hope for, and our shoreside activities will make sure everyone feels at home,” says SDYC Commodore Alli Bell.
