ILCA Under 21 World Championships 2026 in Lanzarote - Day 1
by Agustín Argüelles 19 Jan 12:23 PST
19-24 January 2026
ILCA Under 21 World Championships in Lanzarote day 1 © Jesus Renedo / Sailing Energy
Strong offshore winds and rain showers set the tone on Day 1 of the 2026 ILCA Under-21 World Championships in Playa Blanca. Two races were completed across all fleets, with reigning champions and rising stars seizing early leads in a challenging and tactical opening to the regatta.
The 2026 ILCA Under-21 World Championships got under way today in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, Spain, with the completion of the first two scheduled races.
Strong, gusty and shifty winds coming off the shore, combined with intermittent rain showers, tested the sailors throughout the day. The challenging conditions demanded maximum focus, smart decision-making, and solid boat handling, as competitors worked to capitalize on the conditions, avoid capsizing, and stay warm on the water.
The day began at 09:30 with the coaches' meeting at the Race Office. The Women's fleet was the first to be sent afloat at 10:45, followed by the Men's fleets at 10:55 and 11:20.
The first set of races started around 13:00. After completing all six races scheduled for the day, all fleets returned to shore to recover, relax, and prepare for the action to resume tomorrow.
After two races per fleet, reigning U21 European champion Ginevra Caracciolo ITA leads the Women's Championship with 3 points, following a strong 1-2 scoreline. She's followed by 2024 ILCA 6 Youth European champion Alina Shapovalova UKR on 5 points and reigning ILCA 6 Youth World champion Hermione Ghicas GRE with 6 points.
In the Men's U21 championship, Mark Hestbæck DEN and Karol Krupski Teterycz ESP share the lead, both posting perfect scores after winning both races in their respective fleets. Third place is held by 2024 Youth Sailing World champion Antonio Pascali ITA with 5 points.
The Men's U19 Championship is led by Kutsal Gunes Kurnaz TUR, who sits 10th overall with 14 points. He is followed by Hamish Crabb AUS, just two points behind. Federico Cittadini ITA completes the podium, holding 21st place overall with 26 points.
A total of 12 races are scheduled from 19 to 24 January, culminating in the crowning of the 2026 ILCA Under-21 World Champions.
A fleet of 148 sailors — comprising 96 ILCA 7 men and 52 ILCA 6 women — from all seven ILCA regions around the world has gathered in the Canary Islands for a week of top-level racing, international camaraderie, and memorable on-the-water experiences.
The championship is organised by Marina Rubicón and sponsored by the Cabildo of Lanzarote, through the Island Sports Service; SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote, through its sports tourism brand Lanzarote Sports Destination; the Centres of Art, Culture and Tourism of the Cabildo of Lanzarote; the Town Council of Yaiza; and Tourism of the Canary Islands, with the collaboration, among others, of the Canary Islands Sailing Federation, DinghyCoach and the Latin Sailing federations.