Ireland will make its debut at the 2026 World Sailing Offshore Double Handed World Championship in Marseille this September. While the official entry list confirms Ireland's participation, it does not identify the Irish crew. Earlier this year, Irish Sailing invited experienced offshore sailors to register their interest in representing the country at the event, but the selected pairing has yet to be announced publicly.
Nineteen teams from 15 nations across five continents have been confirmed for the championship, which runs from 23 September to 2 October in Marseille, France.
Ireland's first appearance is one of the notable milestones in this year's event, alongside Belgium's return to the championship.
The fleet brings together Olympic sailors, Ocean Race veterans and leading offshore racers from Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, Uruguay and the United States.
Host nation France will field defending champion Thomas Andrew, who returns with new crew member Julia Colombe. France has also entered offshore specialist Christopher Pratt, whose résumé includes the Figaro circuit, the Transat Café-L'Or and The Ocean Race.
Among the returning medal contenders are Uruguay's Federico Waksman and Dominique Knüppel, bronze medallists at the 2025 championship, while Sweden's experienced pairing of Anna Drougge and Martin Angsell also return.
Belgium's Jonas Gerckens and Djemila Tassin arrive after finishing second overall in the Globe 40 and are preparing for the Route du Rhum.
Matt Allen, Chair of World Sailing's Oceanic & Offshore Committee, said the championship reflected the rapid growth of double-handed offshore racing.
"To have 19 talented teams from 15 countries across five continents is going to provide a tough and exhilarating challenge for the crews to be crowned the 2026 World Champion," he said.
Race director Christophe Gaumont said the equalised fleet should produce close racing.
"Competing on one-designed boats in the Mediterranean, the races are set to deliver thrilling and closely contested action," he said.
The championship will be sailed in supplied Sun Fast 30 One Design yachts, ensuring the title is decided by sailing performance rather than equipment.
The event is being hosted by Cercle Nautique & Touristique du Lacydon (CNTL) Marseille, in collaboration with the Royal Ocean Racing Club, Cap Regatta and the Yacht Club de France, with support from the Fédération Française de Voile.
Neither World Sailing nor Irish Sailing has yet announced the names of the sailors who will become Ireland's first representatives at the Offshore Double Handed World Championship.
