Vilamoura, Portugal, 11 November 2026. The 2026 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Junior European Championships got underway at Vilamoura Sailing this week, bringing together 49 boats, 98 sailors and 26 coaches from 17 countries. Today was supposed to be the first day of racing, but no boats went out. Storm Charles is moving onto mainland Portugal, and government restrictions put in place because of the storm mean no sailing is allowed.
Three races were scheduled to start at 12:00, but the Portuguese government had declared a state of alert across mainland Portugal for the whole of today. Faro is the only district under IPMA’s red warning, the highest level, for both wind and rain, with gusts of up to 120 km/h and as much as 140 km/h along the coast. The sea state warning for the Algarve coast is at orange from midday until 21:00, and IPMA expects the unsettled weather to last until at least Friday.
The fleet was ready to go. Yesterday teams finished registration and equipment measurement and sailed the practice race. Sailors and coaches then went to the competitors’ briefing on racing procedures, safety and the schedule. The day ended with the official opening ceremony and an informal gathering that brought sailors, coaches and organizers together ahead of the competition.
The 49er fleet has 33 teams, with Italy bringing the most boats (eight), followed by Germany (six) and Switzerland (five). The 49erFX fleet has 14 teams from 12 nations, including crews from Japan, Puerto Rico and the host nation Portugal. Other nations represented include Austria, Canada, Finland, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Poland and Slovenia.
“Welcoming junior sailors from 17 countries reflects our commitment to developing the next generation of sailors. Beyond competition, these championships offer young athletes an opportunity to gain international experience and build connections within the sailing community,” said Nuno Reis, CEO of Prow Group and Vilamoura Sailing.
“Juniors are the future of our sport, and this championship gives them the opportunity to race against their peers. We look forward to seeing their emerging talent and blossoming friendships throughout what promises to be a great championship,” said Ben Remocker, Class Director of the International 49er Class Association.
The program now moves to Thursday, with three races scheduled for each of the remaining days. Briefing and start times will be confirmed by the race committee depending on conditions.
The championship adds to Vilamoura Sailing’s calendar of international regattas and reinforces its role as a venue for junior and Olympic class sailing events.
ABOUT VILAMOURA SAILING
Vilamoura Sailing is the world’s largest dinghy sailing center, renowned for hosting elite sailing events and attracting top athletes from around the globe. Nestled in the heart of the Algarve, it provides world class facilities, ideal sailing conditions, and a vibrant atmosphere for athletes and fans alike.
MEDIA CONTACT
Vilamoura Sailing / Prow Group
media@prowgroup.com
www.vilamourasailing.com
