Sardinia OpenSkiff Team Race World Championship 2026 - Overall
by Elena Giolai 2 Nov 00:26 PST
30 October 30 - 1 November 2026
France claims its second consecutive OpenSkiff Team Racing world title in Cagliari, defeating Italy 1 of Lega Navale del Sulcis in the final. The Italian team had secured its place by overcoming round robin frontrunners Poland 2 in the semifinals.
Poland 1 takes bronze. The event continues from 6 to 8 November with the RS Aero Youth European Team Racing Championship, featuring 12 teams.
France has successfully defended its OpenSkiff Team Racing World Championship title, claiming a second consecutive victory in the waters off Su Siccu, Cagliari, where the opening weekend of the Sardinia Team Race World Championship 2026 came to an exciting conclusion. Organised by Lega Navale Italiana del Sulcis in collaboration with Società Canottieri Ichnusa, with the recognition of the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV) and the support of the Sardinia Region's Department of Tourism, the championship brought together five teams from France, Poland and Italy for three days of tactical battles and close competition.
The final day produced a significant shake-up in the standings. Poland 2, one of the strongest teams throughout the round robin stages, struggled to maintain its earlier form and was defeated by Italy 1 in the semifinals. The Italian team, representing Lega Navale Italiana del Sulcis and featuring Angelo Manconi, Fabio Serra, Elena Telisca and Cecilia Parise, secured a well-earned place in the final. Meanwhile, defending champions France advanced after defeating Poland 1 in the other semifinal.
In the best-of-three final, the French team of Côme Zunquin, Clara Zunquin, Charles Ganivet and Pierre Braudproved their strength once again. As the wind gradually decreased, conditions became increasingly challenging for the Italian sailors, who had struggled in lighter breezes throughout the championship. France took full advantage, securing a convincing victory and retaining the world title they first claimed in Cagliari in 2025. Poland 1 completed the podium, with Pawel Sitko, Paulina Szczepa, Franciszek Niziolek and Henryk Glaza taking third place. Poland 2 finished fourth, followed by Italy 2, representing Lega Navale Cagliari, with Pietro Dedoni, Nicolò Maffei and Lorenzo Spagnolo, in fifth.
The championship once again highlighted the unpredictable nature of Team Racing, where individual boat speed is only part of the challenge. Tactical decisions, right-of-way situations and coordinated manoeuvres between teammates can change the outcome of a match right up to the finish line. As this edition demonstrated, even the strongest round robin performances do not guarantee success in the knockout stages.
Beyond the competition, the three-day event further strengthened the friendships between the French, Polish and Italian delegations, which have been part of the championship since its first edition. Following the prize-giving ceremony, sailors, coaches and organisers gathered for the traditional pasta and barbecue, celebrating another successful international sailing weekend in Sardinia.
The Sardinia Team Race World Championship now looks ahead to its second weekend, from 6 to 8 November, when 12 teams will compete in the RS Aero Youth European Team Racing Championship. The RS Aero, a modern and lightweight single-handed dinghy, will provide another exciting platform for tactical team racing, bringing a new chapter of international youth sailing action to the waters of Cagliari.