Tasar World Championship 2026 in Okinawa, Japan - Day 1
by Tasar Worlds Committee 8 Jun 02:03 PDT
4–12 June 2026
The Tasar World Championships 2026, being held at Okuma Private Beach & Resort in Kunigami Village, Okinawa, completed its opening day of racing today, with all three scheduled races successfully sailed.
After three races, the overall standings are led by Jonathan McKee and Libby Johnson McKee (USA), followed by Dalton Bergan and Libby Bergan (USA) in second place and Michael Karas and Molly Karas (USA) in third. Notably, all three leading teams are husband-and-wife team.
Jonathan McKee, a two-time Olympic medallist and one of the sport's most respected sailors, is competing in his tenth Tasar World Championship. Widely regarded as one of the favourites for the title, McKee nevertheless emphasises that his passion for the class comes from the enjoyment of sailing itself.
"I love Japan and had been looking forward to this World Championship. It's my first visit to Okinawa and it's a wonderful place. I really enjoyed today's racing as well," said McKee with a smile.
The championship fleet features sailors from a wide range of backgrounds, including Olympic medallists, families and lifelong friends who share a love of sailing.
Among the competitors is Japanese Olympic bronze medallist Kazuto Seki, who won bronze in the 470 class at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. He is competing alongside his two sons, Soichiro (15) and Takuto (10), demonstrating the family-oriented spirit that is a hallmark of the Tasar class.
The only local Okinawan team in the fleet, Misaki Taira and Yuna Kobayashi from Okinawa Prefectural Chinen High School, are making both their Tasar debut and their first appearance at a World Championship. Despite their inexperience in the class, the pair gained confidence throughout the day.
"Before racing, we really didn't know what to expect, but once we got out there I felt we could be competitive," said Taira. "Our starts weren't great, but we were quite fast on the reaches. We'll keep pushing hard tomorrow."
One of the defining characteristics of the Tasar class is the way world-class sailors and recreational competitors share the same start line. Sailors of different generations, abilities and backgrounds compete side by side, pursuing their own goals while enjoying the camaraderie and spirit of the sport.
Away from the racecourse, the event also contributed to the local community through the 'Kunjan Sea School in Kunigami Village', organised by Kunigami Village at the championship venue. Visitors enjoyed a range of marine activities.
Live race coverage was also shown on a giant outdoor screen, attracting local families and relatives of overseas competitors, who gathered to follow the action from shore.
The Tasar World Championships 2026 will continue until 12 June, bringing together sailors of all ages and backgrounds for several more days of competitive racing and international camaraderie in Okinawa.
UPDATE: Tsunami Advisory Forces Cancellation of Racing on Day Two
www.tasarworlds2026.com