J/70 AUS Class Association

Huge congratulations to Sam Haynes and team Celestial 🥈 J/70 Corinthian Worlds. Well done also to Rob Davis’ Nutcracker 8th and Anthony Landgren’s Skyhook 28th in a fleet of 88 boats.

Alec Cutler’s Hedgehog (BER) successfully defended its title at the 2026 J/70 Corinthian World Championship, hosted by Club La Pelle and Union Nautique Marseillaise, claiming victory by a commanding 10-point margin after seven races sailed over five days in Marseille.

The Championship brought together 88 teams representing 20 nations, showcasing the very best of amateur keelboat racing in a week defined by challenging conditions, patience, camaraderie and adaptable race management.

Cutler and his crew of Charles Pucciariello, Keith Davids and Brad Rodi—former United States Naval Academy sailors who have competed together for decades—finished with 23 net points after discarding a 27th-place result in the opening race. From there, Hedgehog delivered an impressive and remarkably consistent series of 2, 1, 2, 11, 4 and 3.

The victory marks back-to-back Corinthian World Championship titles for Cutler, who also won the 2025 event. “We all sailed together in college,” said Cutler. “It’s very special to be able to sail with your friends. It’s the way Corinthian sailing should be. We very much enjoy our time together, and the sailing is a bonus.” Reflecting on the venue, Cutler added, “Marseille was technically challenging sailing. We are probably the oldest boat by average age, so we have more patience. We have a good time and rely on the Race Committee to do a good job.”

Australia’s Sam Haynes aboard Celestial finished second overall with 33 points, while Estonia’s Tonu Toniste and Lenny completed the podium in third with 39 points. Both teams were formidable contenders throughout the Championship, consistently posting top finishes and remaining firmly in the hunt for the title until the final day of racing.

The final race of the Championship was sailed Saturday after competitors waited ashore under AP postponement while organizers monitored conditions for the expected seabreeze. The patience paid off as an 8-9 knot breeze filled across the racecourse, allowing Race 7 to get underway. Winds eased slightly to 6-7 knots on the final downwind leg.

Spain’s Juan Calvo Boronat, helming Let It Be, captured the final race victory, followed by Denmark’s Frederik Hvalsoe aboard Sassy in second and overall champion Hedgehog in third.

While Marseille delivered variable winds throughout the week, the event also featured sunshine, warm temperatures and spectacular Mediterranean scenery. Sailors embraced the true Corinthian spirit both on and off the water, with a friendly atmosphere permeating the regatta village and crews gathering each evening to share stories, food and drinks under the setting sun.

Special awards were presented to several standout teams:
Top Helmswoman
Nevra Eker, with all-female team Melis Baykan, Ceren Celayir, Feyza Kayran Gul and Melike Asci (TUR)

Top Young Team
Simon Kaiser, Niklas Kaiser, Carlos Biber and Philip Kleisner (SUI)

Top Mixed Plus Team
Lorenz Kausche, Timon Kausche, Morgane Emery and Chloé Fischer (SUI)

The organizers extended their gratitude to the Race Committee, volunteers, sponsors, Club La Pelle, Union Nautique Marseillaise and all competitors whose enthusiasm and sportsmanship helped make the Championship a memorable celebration of Corinthian sailing.

Final Top Ten
1. Alec Cutler (BER) – 23 points
2. Sam Haynes (AUS) – 33 points
3. Tonu Toniste (EST) – 39 points
4. Andrew Loe (USA) – 47 points
5. Maria Bover Guerrero (ESP) – 50 points
6. Kim Christensen (DEN) – 55 points
7. Frederik Hvalsoe (DEN) – 66 points
8. Robert Davis (AUS) – 84 points
9. Harry Twomey (IRL) – 89 points
10. Haluk Babacan (TUR) – 96 points

The 2026 J/70 Corinthian World Championship featured teams from Australia, Bermuda, Denmark, Estonia, France, Great Britain, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey and the United States, underscoring the truly international appeal of one-design Corinthian competition.

Event website/results: www.j70mcwc.com

The 2026 J/70 Corinthian World Championship continued Wednesday with another challenging day of light and variable conditions on the Golfe de Marseille, hosted by Club La Pelle and Union Nautique Marseillaise.

Following Tuesday’s single match, competitors once again completed one race on Wednesday as Race Committee worked patiently through a delayed seabreeze that didn’t arrive as forecasted. Teams set off in the morning anticipating the early thermal, but after an AP postponement afloat, officials moved the course farther offshore in search of more stable pressure.

The new racing area delivered 8-10 knots for the setup, with Race 2 beginning in 7-9 knots under brilliant sunshine and warm Mediterranean temperatures. As the race progressed, the breeze steadily faded, forcing the Race Committee to shorten the course at the second weather mark as winds dropped to 5-6 knots.

Despite the difficult conditions across the opening two days, several teams have demonstrated remarkable consistency in the shifty and tactical racing. Australia’s Sam Haynes and Celestial now lead the Championship after posting the win in Wednesday’s race. Norway’s Kristoffer Spone aboard Bagdad II sits second overall, while the United States’ Andrew Loe and Dime are third. Celestial captured victory in Race 2 on Wednesday, followed by Bermuda’s Alec Cutler and Hedgehog in second, with France’s Denis Infante aboard Euro-Voiles taking third.

The Championship features 88 teams representing 20 nations: Australia, Bermuda, Denmark, Estonia, France, Great Britain, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey and the United States.

After racing, competitors returned ashore to another vibrant evening along the Marseille waterfront village, enjoying the summer-like weather and international camaraderie that continues to define the event.

Racing continues through Saturday, with a total of 10 races scheduled.

Event website/results: www.j70mcwc.com

Three boats flying the AUS flag Sam Haynes' Celestial, Rob Davis' Nutcracker and Tony Langren and Martin Kudnig with Skyhook

The 2026 J/70 Corinthian World Championship officially opened with spectacular conditions on the waters off Marseille, France, as competitors representing 20 nations gathered for the first day of racing hosted by Club La Pelle and Union Nautique Marseillaise.

The all-amateur Championship has attracted 88 teams—an impressive international fleet representing Australia, Bermuda, Denmark, Estonia, France, Great Britain, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey and the United States.

Under sunshine and warm Mediterranean temperatures, sailors completed one race in shifty conditions. The breeze began at 7-9 knots before softening near the second weather mark to 5-7 knots, then filling back to 7-9 knots by the finish. Only one race was completed as the winds dropped by late afternoon. Despite the changing conditions, the top 10 or so teams remained remarkably consistent throughout the race, showcasing the depth of talent assembled.

Leading the standings after this opening contest is Robert Davis aboard Nutcracker (AUS). In second is Stefano Roberti sailing Piccinina (MON), while Andrew Loe’s Dime (USA) holds third.

Beyond the competition on the water, the event continues to embody the true Corinthian spirit that defines the J/70 Class. Teams from around the world have enjoyed strong camaraderie ashore, sharing stories, laughter and hospitality throughout the opening festivities in Marseille. Racers opened the Championship with a Parade of Nations on Monday night to christen the fourth annual Corinthian Worlds at the venue which hosted the 2024 Olympic sailing games.

Racing continues through Saturday, with a total of 10 races scheduled to determine the 2026 J/70 Corinthian World Champion.

Event website/results: www.j70mcwc.com

- Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron The BYS Women’s Sportsboat Regatta 2026 highlights rising female leadership in sailing, with tight racing, growing participation and more women owning boats.

A great weekend of racing thanks to Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron