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THUNDERSTORM SYSTEM PUTS PAID TO RACING ON OPENING DAY OF 2026 SWISS CHAMPIONSHIPS

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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

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50-BOAT FLEET READY TO RACE IN GENEVA ON EVE OF SWISS CHAMPIONSHIPS

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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.