470 Class European Championship 2026 for mixed crews

470 Class European Championship 2026 for mixed crews © International 470 Class Association

World-class racing, Olympic-level sailors, and one of Europe's most reliable sailing venues, the 2026 470 Class European Championship for Mixed Crews promises an unforgettable week of top competition.

From 6 to 14 March 2026, Vilamoura, Portugal, will once again become the centre of European 470 sailing, welcoming the continent's best teams to fight for the European title under perfect Atlantic conditions.

Early entry open until 6 February

How the championship will unfold

The championship will begin with three days dedicated to measurement, registration and the official opening, followed by a practice race. Racing is scheduled to start on Monday, 9 March. Depending on the number of entries, the fleet may be divided into qualification and final series, ensuring fair and competitive racing for all teams. The event will conclude with an exciting Medal Series, where the best crews of the championship will compete for the European title.

Can anyone stop the Spanish duo?

The 470 Class European Champion title will be defended by the reigning champions, the Spanish team Jordi Xammar and Marta Cardona. Xammar is a two-time consecutive European Champion. In 2024, he claimed the European title in Cannes, sailing with Nora Brugman. One year later, in Split, he successfully defended the title once again — this time sailing with 2025 Young World Sailor of the Year, Marta Cardona, a young and talented sailor who had joined the 470 fleet only a few weeks earlier after competing in the 420 class. Their rapid success quickly established them as one of the strongest teams in the class.

Stars, champions and new challengers

The European Championship line-up promises to be highly exciting. On the starting line, fans will see Olympic medalists, world and European champions, as well as newly formed teams and outstanding youth champions, all ready to challenge for the continental title.

The battle for gold will once again include last year's European medalists: the British team of Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris, the French crew of Matisse Pacaud and Lucie de Gennes, and Simon Diesch and Anna Markfort, who currently lead the 470 World Sailing ranking. The fleet will also feature some of the strongest youth champions, including the French team of Lomane Valade and Julien Bunel and the Israeli duo Roy Lavy and Ariel Gal, adding even more depth and unpredictability to an already impressive European field.

European titles and the Kevin Burnham Trophy

The first European crew in the final official ranking of the championship will be declared "470 Class Mixed European Champion." In addition, the winning crew will be awarded the prestigious "470 Kevin Burnham Trophy" by the International 470 Class Association.

Kevin Burnham was a three-time Olympic sailor and a two-time Olympic medalist representing Team USA. He won Olympic gold at the Athens 2004 Games together with Paul Foerster and had previously won a silver medal at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, sailing with Morgan Reeser. Burnham and Foerster were named Rolex Yachtsmen of the Year for their Olympic gold performance.

Don't miss the entry deadlines

• Early entry fee deadline: 6 February
• Final entry deadline: 28 February
• Entries submitted after the official deadline may be accepted only at the discretion of the event management.

Vilamoura: a proven championship venue

Vilamoura is a well-known and highly valued venue for the 470 Class, especially remembered for the major championships held here in 2021. That year, Vilamoura hosted both the 470 World Championship and the European Championship, when the 470 Class awarded Mixed titles for the first time in history.

At the World Championship, the first-ever gold medal in the Mixed fleet was won by Israel's Gil Cohen with Noam Homri. Two months later, the first-ever Mixed European Championship title went to another Israeli team, Nitai Hasson & Saar Tamir.

The Vilamoura Sailing Centre, located in the heart of the Marina de Vilamoura on Portugal's south coast, will once again host the event. The venue offers facilities, professional race management, and reliable sailing conditions, making it suitable for top-level international competition across all sailing classes. With over 300 sunny days per year, steady winds, and excellent infrastructure, Vilamoura has become a favourite destination for sailors from all over the world.