International Star Class 2026 regatta calendar
by ISCYRA 26 Feb 14:58 GMT
2025 Star World Championship Split day 5 © International Star Class / Martina Orsini
The International Star Class is ready for the 2026 racing season with a calendar that blends tradition, elite competition, and global reach, anchored by some of the most historic and prestigious events in sailing.
The year will open with the 99th edition of the legendary Bacardi Cup, taking place in Miami, USA, from March 1-7, 2026. One of the longest-standing regattas in sailing history, the Bacardi Cup stands alongside the Star World Championship as a pillar of the sport, the latter having celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022. The 2026 Bacardi Cup also marks the final countdown to a major milestone, as the event heads toward its Centennial anniversary in 2027.
Defending champions Mateusz Kusznierewicz (POL) and Bruno Prada (BRA) arrive in Miami with an extraordinary six-year winning streak, clearly intent on extending their dominance and adding another chapter to their remarkable run.
From Miami, the fleet will move north for the Western Hemisphere Championship, scheduled for May 20-24, 2026, on Gull Lake, Michigan, a venue well known for delivering tactical racing and classic inland conditions with the successful yearly Vintage Gold Cup on wooden Star boats.
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The focus will then shift to Europe for the Eastern Hemisphere Championship, hosted by Spartacus Sailing Club on Lake Balaton, Hungary, from May 30 to June 6, 2026. Lake Balaton, Central Europe's largest lake, continues to grow as a premier international sailing venue, offering a unique and demanding racing environment.
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The 2026 Star European Championship will take place in The Netherlands, at the Regatta Center Medemblik, one of Europe's premier sailing venues, with a long-standing reputation for delivering world-class regattas at the highest level. Its track record includes major Olympic-class championships and numerous World Sailing-sanctioned competitions, underlining its consistency and excellence in elite event hosting.
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The season will conclude back in the United States, with Florida once again at the center of the Star Class spotlight. The North American Championship will be held at Davis Island Yacht Club, October 24-29, 2026, serving as the final major tune-up before the pinnacle event of the year.
Entry list
The Star World Championship, the epic Gold Star event of the season, will return to Miami from November 5-14, 2026. Reigning World Champions Paul Cayard (USA) and Frithjof Kleen (GER) will be back to defend their 2025 title, as the world's best Star sailors converge for six days of elite racing on a spectacular racecourse. The championship follows the traditional Star format, testing crews through long legs of up to two miles, with races averaging around two hours, demanding the highest levels of strategy, endurance, and strength.
Entry List
With iconic venues, historic regattas, and a calendar spanning two hemispheres, the 2026 International Star Class season promises world-class competition while continuing a legacy that has defined excellence in sailing for over a century. At the same time, true to the Class motto "Honoring the past, leading the future", special arrangements for the U30 categories will be implemented throughout the season, reinforcing the Star Class commitment to supporting young sailors and guiding the next generation into one of sailing's most demanding and prestigious classes.