With the first major event of the 2026 season approaching in Palma, the 49erFX fleet is shaping up for another year of incredibly tight racing. The depth across the fleet continues to grow, with several new partnerships already proving competitive and many established teams maintaining impressive consistency at the top.
The 2025 World Championships gave a clear glimpse of the teams currently leading the charge, but with a number of lineup changes during the winter, Palma could already bring some surprises.
Paula Barceló and Maria Cantero (ESP)
One of the standout stories from the Worlds was the victory of the new Spanish pairing Paula Barceló and Maria Cantero. The team only formed after the Paris Olympics, where Barceló was crewing for Tamara Echegoyen.
Stepping into the helm role, Barceló has quickly shown impressive control of the boat as well as strong strategic awareness. Together with Cantero the partnership already looks extremely solid.
Palma will be a particularly special venue for them. Barceló is from Mallorca, so racing at home always adds an extra level of motivation, and a strong result there would certainly mean a lot.
Vilma Bobeck and Ebba Berntsson (SWE)
Another team that made an immediate impact is the Swedish duo of Vilma Bobeck and Ebba Berntsson. Despite being a brand new pairing, they secured the silver medal at the World Championships, which was essentially their first major regatta together.
Bobeck returned to the fleet one year after winning Olympic silver in Paris and immediately showed she remains one of the most technically skilled sailors in the class. Her boat handling and racing instincts are exceptional, while Berntsson clearly brings strong speed to the partnership.
It certainly did not look like a one off result and the Swedish team could quickly become one of the most consistent contenders in the fleet.
Georgia and Antonia Lewin-Lafrance (CAN)
The Canadian sisters Georgia Lewin-Lafrance and Antonia Lewin-Lafrance rounded out the World Championship podium and were among the most consistent teams throughout 2025.
They finished on the podium at several major events last season and were crowned Open European Champions in Thessaloniki. One of their greatest strengths is their ability to adapt across a wide range of conditions, making them dangerous competitors at any venue.
Freya Black and Saskia Tidey (GBR)
Freya Black and Saskia Tidey are another team that is almost always in the mix near the top of the fleet. They won the Palma event last year as well as Kiel Week and finished fourth at the World Championships.
With strong experience in Palma Bay and a track record of consistent performances, they will certainly be among the teams to watch again this season.
Odile van Aanholt and Marissa Ijben (NED)
Another interesting storyline this season is the return of Odile van Aanholt. The Paris Olympic champion has been away from racing since the Games after becoming a mother.
Palma will mark her return to the fleet, this time sailing with Marissa Ijben. It will be exciting to see how quickly the new partnership finds its rhythm, but with van Aanholt’s experience and success in the class, expectations will naturally be high.
Winter Changes in the Fleet
Over the winter there have also been some interesting changes in the fleet. Jana Germani originally sailed with Giorgia Bertuzzi, the pair also competing together at the Paris Olympics. After the Games, Germani briefly formed a new partnership with former 470 sailor Bianca Caruso, and the two quickly showed promising results including a sixth place finish at the World Championships.
However, Germani has recently confirmed that she will once again be sailing with Bertuzzi. The pair already have strong experience together and notably won the Trofeo Sofia in Palma in 2024, so their reunion could quickly bring them back into contention at the front of the fleet.
Another change comes from France where Lara Granier and Amélie Riou have ended their partnership. Riou has now teamed up with Manon Peyre and the new pairing has already won the French national championship in the 49erFX. Palma will be an important early test for them in a large international fleet.
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A Deep and Competitive Fleet
Beyond these teams, the level in the 49erFX continues to rise across many nations. Australia, Germany, Norway, Belgium, the United States, and Denmark all have teams capable of challenging near the top of the standings.
With such depth in the fleet, Palma will likely offer the first real glimpse of which teams are ready to set the pace for the 2026 season. One thing is certain though. In the 49erFX, there are many teams capable of winning, and every regatta promises close racing from start to finish.
