We are closing another intense year of training camps, clinics, and competitions – yet the Optimist class never slows down. As the foundation of youth sailing worldwide, the Optimist continues to shape the next generation of Olympic sailors and professional racers across all continents.
Here is our complete overview of the 2026 Optimist sailing calendar, covering World and Continental Championships, along with key international events. We know that OneSails young sailors compete globally, so this guide is designed to help you plan training cycles, qualification pathways, and peak performance moments well in advance.
2026 Optimist World Championship
Tangier, Morocco — Africa
18–28 June 2026
Venue: Royal Yacht Club of Tangier
The Optimist World Championship is the most prestigious event in the class calendar, bringing together the best young sailors from more than 60 nations.
The 2026 edition will take place in Tangier, a historic sailing crossroads between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The venue is known for its technically demanding conditions, where sailors must master wind shifts, current management, and tactical decision-making at the highest level.
2026 Optimist Continental Championships
Optimist North American Championship 2026
Martinique — North America & Caribbean
21–28 May 2026
Venue: To be confirmed
North American and Caribbean Optimist sailors will gather in Martinique for the 2026 continental championship. Traditionally positioned ahead of the World Championship, this event is a key benchmark regatta for sailors targeting international selection and late-season peak performance.
Optimist European Championship 2026
Gdynia, Poland — Europe
24–31 July 2026
Venue: Gdynia Sailing Centre
The Optimist European Championship is widely regarded as one of the most competitive events in youth sailing, featuring large fleets and exceptional racing standards.
Gdynia offers classic Baltic Sea conditions, combining sea-breeze patterns with open-water racing. The championship will be hosted at the Gdynia Sailing Centre, a proven venue for top-level international competition.
Optimist African Championship 2026
Benghazi, Libya — Africa
15–22 August 2026
Venue: Benghazi Sailing Area
African Optimist sailors will meet in Benghazi for the 2026 African Championship. This event highlights the continued growth of the Optimist class across Africa, providing continental-level racing and valuable international exposure for developing sailing nations.
Optimist South American Championship 2026
Montevideo, Uruguay — South America
25 October – 1 November 2026
Venue: Montevideo Harbour
Taking advantage of the Southern Hemisphere spring, South American sailors will compete in Montevideo, one of the region’s most established sailing hubs.
South America remains a stronghold of Optimist talent, and Montevideo’s open-water conditions are ideal for high-level fleet racing and tactical development.
Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship 2026
Colombo, Sri Lanka — Asia & Oceania
12–19 December 2026
Venue: Colombo Sailing Area
The final continental championship of the season will be held in Colombo, bringing together sailors from Asia and Oceania.
Closing the 2026 calendar, this championship acts as a bridge between regional development and global competition, with racing scheduled in the Colombo Sailing Area, known for its warm-water conditions and tactical challenges.
Other International and Regional Regattas Confirmed for 2026
Alongside World and Continental Championships, several international and regional Optimist regattas are already confirmed for 2026. These events play a key role in seasonal preparation, performance benchmarking, and long-term sailor development.
January
India International Youth Sailing Championship – 11th India International Regatta
4–10 January 2026
Chennai Port, Chennai, India
XVIII Trofeo Euromarina Optimist 2026
29 January – 1 February 2026
Real Club Náutico Torrevieja, Torrevieja, Spain
February
Yachting Malta BSC International Regatta 2026
7–10 February 2026
Birżebbuġa Sailing Club, Freeport, Malta
XI BPER Banca Crotone International Carnival Race
14–17 February 2026
Club Velico Crotone, Crotone, Italy
Pan Pepin International Dinghy Regatta 2026
14–16 February 2026
San Juan Bay, San Juan, Puerto Rico
April
2026 Clivo Sailing Cup
2–5 April 2026
Arena Camp Medulin, Medulin, Croatia
Regatta Port Bourgas 2026 – Bourgas Sailing Week
20 April – 3 May 2026
Bourgas Bay, Bourgas, Bulgaria
May
38th Trofeo Marco Rizzotti
14–17 May 2026
Venice Lagoon, Venice, Italy
July
International French Summer Regatta 2026
4–10 July 2026
Baie de Quiberon, France
Istanbul Sailing Week 2026
24–31 July 2026
Istanbul Sailing Club, Istanbul, Türkiye
October
2026 Optimist European Team Racing Championship
13–18 October 2026
Campione del Garda, Lake Garda, Italy
The 2026 Optimist sailing calendar once again highlights the truly global nature of youth sailing, with events spread across five continents and a wide range of racing conditions. For sailors, coaches, and teams, careful planning around these regattas is essential to building consistency, confidence, and competitive success throughout the season.
We look forward to seeing you on the racecourse!
