International Six Metre Swiss National Championship 2026 on Lake Geneva - Day 1

2026 International Six Metre Swiss National Championships on Lake Geneva - Day 1 © Photonautique/y.ryncki

No races were completed on the opening day of the 2026 International Six Metre Swiss Championships on Lake Geneva, due to light and unstable winds left in the wake of a thunderstorm cell that moved through the region in the early afternoon, bringing squalls and heavy rain.

Earlier, at the 1100 competitors' briefing, Christophe Amberger - chairman of the regatta organising committee at the host club Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) - gave a warm welcome to the 50-boat fleet, before principal race officer Yoann Lelièvre laid out his plan for the tricky weather day ahead.

After hoisting the AP flag to keep the fleet ashore while the storm passed over the SNG marina, as soon as conditions cleared, the race committee left the dock at 1330 with the AP coming down from the SNG mainmast shortly afterwards.

The Swiss Championship fleet is made up of 30 Classic yachts (constructed and/or certificated prior to January 1, 1966) and 20 Open fleet yachts (built/certificated after that date). The crews were greeted by blustery conditions when they arrived at the race area, with strong gusts and patchy lulls making sail headsail choices difficult.

Race 1 got under way shortly before 1500, with the Open fleet completing a windward and leeward leg, before the breeze shut down completely at the leeward gate. With the Classic fleet also becoming becalmed on the approach to the windward marks on their first beat, the race officer had no option but to call racing to a halt.

There then followed a two-hour wait in mirror flat conditions and occasional light rain showers, before the sun finally broke through the clouds and a six-to-eight-knot breeze miraculously materialised. This triggered a flurry of activity from the sailors to re-hoist sails and get themselves tuned in to the new racecourse scenario.

Agonisingly, though, the new breeze began to fade almost as soon as the starting sequence began.

Shortly after, the race committee hoisted the AP over A flags to send the fleet ashore for the day. A change to the sailing instructions, posted this evening, means four races have been scheduled for tomorrow - with the first start set for 1100.

The 2026 International Six Metre Swiss Championships runs through to Friday July 17 and is the precursor for the 2026 European Championships, which are scheduled to take place from Sunday, July 19 to Friday, July 24.

More information on the event can be found at the official regatta website.

Follow the racing each day via live tracker.