2026 Star European Championship at Medemblik, The Netherlands

2026 Star European Championship at Medemblik, The Netherlands - Overall

by ISCYRA 29 Aug 19:57 BST 24-29 August 2026

Five-time Olympic medalist Robert Scheidt (BRA) and 2008 Olympian Austin Sperry (USA) are the new Star European Champions, producing a flawless final day to capture one of the most prestigious titles in international sailing.

With the championship still wide open after five races, the Race Committee advanced the first warning signal by one hour, sending the fleet away at 11:00. The breeze had shifted once again, this time coming from the southwest at around 13 knots, producing an offshore, shifty racecourse and a short, choppy sea that demanded constant concentration from the 70 competing teams.

Star Europeans 2026 at Medemblik, The Netherlands Day 4 - photo © Matias Capizzano / ISCYRA

Race 6 proved decisive.

Several rain fronts swept across the racecourse during the race, at times reducing visibility dramatically. On the final downwind leg, some of the leading crews admitted they could barely see the finish line through the heavy rain. Among them were Diego Negri and Sergio Lambertenghi (ITA), who had led at every mark roundings but slipped back to finish fifth, and the young Germans Nick Heuwinkel and Jesper Spehr, who were virtual European Champions until the final windward mark before the final run reshuffled the leaderboard.

Scheidt and Sperry, however, made no mistakes. Sailing a composed and tactically brilliant race, they positioned themselves on the favored side of the course during the final downwind, needing only one final gybe to reach the finish line and claim victory. The race win was enough to secure the 2026 European Championship with one race still to sail.

Robert Scheidt and Austin Sperry win the Star Europeans 2026 at Medemblik, The Netherlands - photo © Matias Capizzano / ISCYRA

The final race started almost immediately after the finish of Race 6. As the rain clouds disappeared, spots of blue skies returned and the breeze steadily built. The fleet sailed the first beat in around 14 knots, while at the windward mark the wind had increased to over 16 knots, with gusts reaching 19-20 knots. The stronger conditions made the first downwind particularly demanding, with several teams suffering gear failures under the increased loads.

Once again, Scheidt and Sperry rounded the first windward mark in the lead and never looked back. Demonstrating the speed and consistency that have defined their entire championship, the Brazilian-American pairing controlled the race from start to finish to complete a perfect final day with two race victories, making it four wins out of seven races.

Robert Scheidt and Austin Sperry win the Star Europeans 2026 at Medemblik, The Netherlands - photo © Matias Capizzano / ISCYRA

Behind them, Diego Negri and Sergio Lambertenghi crossed the line second, while Nick Heuwinkel and Jesper Spehr secured third place in the race, more importantly, enough to finish second overall and claim the title of 2026 U30 European Champions after an outstanding championship that announced the arrival of a new generation at the very top of the Star Class.

The podium reflected the remarkable depth of this year's fleet:

"Today was very tough, especially physically," said Scheidt. "The German team pushed us to the limit, hats off to them. In the first race they were ahead of us going into the final run, but we made the right call to gybe early as the wind shifted. Suddenly we saw the finish line in front of us and managed to pass five boats. That race put us in a better position, but they kept fighting all the way through the second race. We started the championship with a few ups and downs, especially at the starts, but we improved every day. Austin did an outstanding job all week, and we also have a great team supporting us behind the scenes. Right now, we just want to enjoy this moment."

"It's been a great week," said Sperry. "We've had such a good atmosphere all week. We're here with friends, sailing in the summertime, and just enjoying being together. It was incredibly close going into today, but Robert sailed two great races. Winning the European Championship like this makes it even more special."

Star Europeans 2026 at Medemblik, The Netherlands Day 4 - photo © Matias Capizzano / ISCYRA

The championship brought together 70 teams from 17 nations, once again confirming Medemblik as one of the sailing's most iconic venues. Over six days, competitors experienced almost every type of sailing the IJsselmeer can offer, from sunshine and tactical lake-style racing to heavy rain, shifting offshore winds and exhilarating planing conditions, and also great moment of camaraderie organized by Star Class Holland, like last evening's Championship Dinner.

As one championship concludes, the international Star fleet now looks ahead to the final major events of the 2026 season. Many of the boats will soon begin their journey across the Atlantic for the North American Championship, to be held at Davis Island Yacht Club from 24-29 October, followed immediately by the 2026 Star World Championship at Coral Reef Yacht Club in Miami from 5-14 November. Many competitors will then remain in Florida for another historic occasion: the 100th Bacardi Cup, scheduled for 7-13 March 2027, celebrating a century of one of sailing's most iconic regattas.