Entry open for the ORC Europeans 2026: Discover the venue at the City Center of Klaipeda, Lithuania

by Offshore Racing Congress 14 Dec 2025 01:45 AEDT 7-15 August 2026

The Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) and Lithuanian Yachting Union, in collaboration with the City of Klaipeda, are excited to announce that the Notice of Race for the ORC European Championship 2026 has been published, and registration has begun on the Manage2Sail platform. The first teams from Norway, Latvia and Lithuania have already registered.

The event will be hosted from August 7-15, 2026, in Klaipeda, Lithuania - a Baltic seaside gem offering a unique combination of vibrant city life, central marina facilities, convenient transport links, and exciting open waters for competitive offshore racing. With a 5% increase in issued ORC certificates worldwide in 2025, the organisers expect to attract up to 70 teams for this high-level championship.

"We are happy to announce that the registration for the ORC Europeans 2026 is open, and we are looking forward to welcoming all the teams for the combination of competitive racing and the joys of modern city life in Klaipeda. The city is centrally located, so it will be convenient to reach from most European countries by water, air, or ground. If anyone has any questions about the location and logistics, we are more than happy to address them. Don't miss a chance to be part of one of the most captivating offshore sailing events this summer. We are certain that Klaipeda will become a new favorite place on the nautical charts for the participants and visitors alike," said Mantas Klimantavicius, head of the organisation.

Klaipeda is located only a few hundred nautical miles from key Northern European sailing hubs - including Kiel (400 nm), Copenhagen (320 nm), Stockholm (250 nm), Helsinki (330 nm), and Tallinn (300 nm) - and is easily reachable via airports in Palanga, Vilnius, Kaunas, or Riga, as well as by direct ferry lines from Kiel, Karlshamn, or Trelleborg.

A major strength of Klaipeda as the host venue is that the yacht club is situated right in the historical city center. Founded in 1252, Klaipeda is a charming maritime city that combines heritage and modern vibrancy, offering a lively urban experience just steps from the docks.

"The fact that next year's ORC European Championship will take place in Klaipeda is a significant recognition not only for our city but for the whole of Lithuania. It is an exceptional opportunity to showcase our maritime potential to the entire continent and to further strengthen Klaipeda's position on the international sailing map. We are ready to welcome the strongest sailing teams in the very heart of the city - a unique space where maritime history, culture, and contemporary urban life come together. We are already undertaking targeted preparations for the championship and eagerly look forward to the teams, who will find in our city not only excellent conditions for competition but also a welcoming city open to the sea," said Arvydas Vaitkus, Mayor of Klaipeda.

Although the city might be new to many ORC sailors, Klaipeda has already hosted several major international sailing events. In 2021, it welcomed the Ocean Race Europe Prologue, hosting famous VO65 yachts and their crews for an in-port race and the start of the first leg. It was also the host city for the Tall Ships Races in 2017, 2021, and 2024.

"I wonder why Klaipeda has not been the centre for offshore sailing in the Baltic region for a long time," said Ecky von der Mosel, ORC Deputy Chairman. "With the call for the ORC Europeans in Klaipeda, many sailors have only now realised how centrally located this new sailing centre is. This curiosity will bring us many entries. After Lithuanian offshore sailors have repeatedly taken top places at recent ORC title events, it was a special concern for the ORC to award the championship to their home waters. The Baltic Sea at the mouths of the Dane and Memel rivers is a fantastic open offshore area that participants can look forward to. This is real offshore sailing!"

The number of ORC certificates issued worldwide increased by 5% in 2025, and the organisers anticipate a strong turnout in Klaipeda. Lithuania's coastal waters are safe and obstacle-free, offering ideal conditions for high-quality offshore racing.

The race management team is already shaping up to be world-class, with Eckart Reinke (GER) appointed as Principal Race Officer, joined by experienced officials such as Madis Ausman (EST), Zoran Grubisa (CRO), and Ari Peltomäki (FIN).

The ORC European Championship 2026 will take place on August 7-15 in Klaipeda, Lithuania. Registration is now open on Manage2sail.

For the Notice of Race, Registration, Entry List and complete event information, visit: orc.org/europeans2026