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THUNDERSTORM SYSTEM PUTS PAID TO RACING ON OPENING DAY OF 2026 SWISS CHAMPIONSHIPS
No races were completed on the opening day of the 2026 International Six Metre Swiss Championships on Lake Geneva, due to light and unstable winds left in the wake of a thunderstorm cell that moved through the region in the early afternoon, bringing squalls and heavy rain.
Earlier, at the 1100 competitors’ briefing, Christophe Amberger – chairman of the regatta organising committee at the host club Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) – gave a warm welcome to the 50-boat fleet, before principal race officer Yoann Lelièvre laid out his plan for the tricky weather day ahead.
After hoisting the AP flag to keep the fleet ashore while the storm passed over the SNG marina, as soon as conditions cleared, the race committee left the dock at 1330 with the AP coming down from the SNG mainmast shortly afterwards.
The Swiss Championship fleet is made up of 30 Classic yachts (constructed and/or certificated prior to January 1, 1966) and 20 Open fleet yachts (built/certificated after that date). The crews were greeted by blustery conditions when they arrived at the race area, with strong gusts and patchy lulls making sail headsail choices difficult.
Race 1 got underway shortly before 1500, with the Open fleet completing a windward and leeward leg, before the breeze shut down completely at the leeward gate. With the Classic fleet also becoming becalmed on the approach to the windward marks on their first beat, the race officer had no option but to call racing to a halt.
There then followed a two-hour wait in mirror flat conditions and occasional light rain showers, before the sun finally broke through the clouds and a six-to-eight-knot breeze miraculously materialised.
This triggered a flurry of activity from the sailors to re-hoist sails and get themselves tuned in to the new racecourse scenario. Agonisingly, though, the new breeze began to fade almost as soon as the starting sequence began.
Shortly after, the race committee hoisted the AP over A flags to send the fleet ashore for the day. A change to the sailing instructions, posted this evening, means four races have been scheduled for tomorrow – with the first start set for 1100.
The 2026 International Six Metre Swiss Championships runs through to Friday July 17 and is the precursor for the 2026 European Championships, which are scheduled to take place from Sunday, July 19 to Friday, July 24.
Main image © Photonautique/y.ryncki
50-BOAT FLEET READY TO RACE IN GENEVA ON EVE OF SWISS CHAMPIONSHIPS
50 International Six Metre crews have assembled at the Société Nautique de Genève on the eve of the 2026 Swiss National Championship, which begins tomorrow on Lake Geneva, Switzerland.
Eight races are scheduled for the three-day event, which precedes the International Six Metre European Championships, taking place from Sunday, July 19 to Friday, July 24.
Two national titles are up for grabs at the Swiss Championship: the Open Championship for those yachts constructed and/or certificated since January 1, 1966; and the Classic Championship for those yachts constructed and/or certificated prior to that date.
The 30-strong Classic entry list includes 15 Swiss crews as well as visiting yachts from Finland (1), France (3), Germany (5), Great Britain (3), Italy (1), and Spain (2). Meanwhile, the 20-boat Open entry list is made up of 16 Swiss crews, along with yachts from Great Britain, Spain, Sweden, and the USA.
After successfully completing the meticulous measurement and scrutineering process over the last few days, all 50 of the event’s International Six Metre yachts are now lined up stern-to and in age order on the main dock at the Société Nautique de Genève – making for a truly spectacular sight.
Like most of Europe currently, Geneva is experiencing a heatwave that has seen temperatures peak at 35C over recent days, making hats and sunscreen the order of the day for the Six Metre sailors preparing their boats. With today’s prevailing conditions being strong sunshine and an average of four knots of wind, most of the fleet remained ashore, with just a determined few venturing out on to the glassy waters of Lake Geneva.
International Six Metre Class Association President Louis Heckly, skipper of FRA 11 Fun, competing in the Classic Championship, said the competitors were happy to be enjoying the excellent hospitality of the Société Nautique de Genève for this year’s Swiss and European Championships.
“It is great to see so many boats here representing so many countries – that’s a clear indication of how dynamic the class has become internationally,” Heckly said.
“Huge congratulations to the measurement team, led by Guy-Roland Perrin, for processing 50 boats over two days. That’s a massive achievement. Now, with everyone in the water, we can’t wait to start racing at the Swiss Championship tomorrow.”
The International Six Metre Swiss Championship gets underway tomorrow, Wednesday, July 15 – with a skippers’ briefing at 1100 and the warning signal for Race 1 at 1300 – and runs through to Friday, July 17.
FOR SALE – SUI 140 – GINKGOTOO – Price Updated
State of the Art modern 6-Metre, build in 2020 and continuously developed by VMG Design. Probably one of the most elegant 6-Metre and in top condition. Always professionally maintained and sailed. Top scorer at international races including Worlds, Europeans, Palma Series. Rare opportunity to acquire a modern Six for the upcoming Palma Series and Worlds.
Specific details
Designer Javi Cela and VMG Designer Mathieur Verrier
Builder Isashiyarb Composite
LOA 10.35m
LWL 7.70m
Beam 1.9m
Maximum Draft 1.60m
Boat Name GinkgoToo SUI-140
Displacement 3’843 kg
Hull Material GRP
Location Geneva, Switzerland
Model Modern/Open 6-Metre Class
Price: CHF 150’000.- (discussion base)
Contact
Jan Eckert
Mob: 0041 79 437 32 45
E-Mail: jan.eckert@jll.com
LARGEST EVER FLEET SET TO CONTEST 2026 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS ON LAKE GENEVA
A record-setting fleet of 52 International Six Metre class yachts will compete on Switzerland’s Lake Geneva later this month at the 2026 European Championships, hosted by the Société Nautique de Genève.
The huge fleet includes two entries from the USA, as well as European visitors from Finland (2), France (3), Greece (3), Germany (4), Great Britain (5), Italy (2), Netherlands (1), Spain (3), Sweden (1), all of whom will face a 26-strong local contingent from Switzerland.
The biannual regatta, which runs from July 19 to 24, will see two International Six Metre European titles decided: the Open European Championship for those yachts constructed and/or certificated since January 1, 1966; and the Classic European Championship for those yachts constructed and/or certificated before that date.
Prior to the European Championships, the International Six Metre Class Swiss Championships – from July 15 to 17 – will give the competitors an important opportunity to familiarise themselves with the idiosyncrasies of Lake Geneva and its beautiful surroundings.
An Olympic class from 1908 to 1952, the International Six Metre Class remains a highly active class, with more than 300 modern and classic Six Metres racing internationally – including national fleets across mainland Europe, North America, and Canada.
Amongst the possible frontrunners in the Open Championship are: Jeremy Thorp’s British Battlecry, which finished runner up in the 2024 Europeans in Sanxenxo, Spain, as well as Dieter Schön’s Swiss entry Momo, winner of the 2025 World Championship, and Switzerland’s Loïc Forestier on Junior – who finished third in Spain in 2024.
The Classic Championship will be equally hotly contested, with His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain’s 1947-built Bribon – back-to-back winner of the 2022 and 2024 European title and current Classic World Champion – standing out as an obvious potential favourite.
Also in the running will be Finland’s Ossi Paija on Astrée III (1959), runner-up at the Europeans in 2024, as well as Spain’s Mauricio Sánchez-Bella Carswell on Titia, who finished third in 2024 and second in the 2025 World Championship at the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club in the United States.
Racing at the Swiss National Championship begins on Wednesday July 15, with the six-day, eight-race, European Championships series beginning on Sunday July 19 and running through to Friday July 24, with two races per day scheduled.
MALLORCA AND DUBLIN SELECTED AS FUTURE INTERNATIONAL SIX METRE CHAMPIONSHIP VENUES
International Six Metre Association members have officially selected the venues for two future major championships following the ISMA Online Vote held on 26 May 2026.
Club Nàutic S’Arenal in Mallorca, Spain has been chosen to host the 2028 International Six Metre European Championships, while the Royal Irish Yacht Club in Dublin, Ireland has been selected as the venue for the 2031 International Six Metre World Championships.
ISMA President Louis Heckly welcomed the outcome of the vote: “We are very pleased to confirm these two outstanding venues for future International Six Metre championships. Both clubs presented excellent proposals and demonstrated a strong commitment to the class. The ISMA looks forward to working closely with both organising authorities over the coming years.”
Speaking on behalf of the Royal Irish Yacht Club, Joe Conaway said: “We are honoured by the confidence shown by ISMA members and very excited to welcome the Six Metre fleet to Dun Laoghaire in 2031. The RIYC is committed to delivering a memorable World Championships both on and off the water. The 2031 Six Metre World Championships will form an important part of our bi-centenary celebrations in 2031 and the sight of these beautiful boats racing once again in Dublin Bay will leave a lasting memory.”
Club Nàutic S’Arenal President José Ramón Picó commented: “It is a great privilege for Club Nàutic S’Arenal to host the 2028 European Championships. Mallorca has a long tradition in international sailing, and we are looking forward to welcoming the Six Metre class for what we hope will be a fantastic championship.”
The exact dates for both events will be announced at a later stage.
In the meantime, the International Six Metre calendar continues with the 2026 European Championships in Geneva this July, followed by the 2027 International Six Metre World Championships in Helsinki from 8 to 14 August. The 2029 International Six Metre World Championships will take place at Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Porto Cervo, Italy.
International 6 Metre Association 