San Francisco will host the 2026 Women’s Match Racing World Championship. World Sailing confirmed St Francis Yacht Club as the venue for the event from 30 September to 4 October.
Racing will take place on San Francisco Bay in the club’s fleet of J/22s. After a practice day, four days of competition will decide the world champion.
Susan Ruhne, Commodore of St Francis Yacht Club, said, “It is an honour for us to host the World Sailing Women’s Match Racing World Championship. “Our membership will be thrilled to watch the best of the best racing in close quarters on the waters just outside our clubhouse.” The club has recently hosted multiple high-level women’s events, including stops on the Women’s World Match Racing Tour.
World Sailing Vice-President Cory Sertl said, “We are absolutely thrilled to head to the iconic waters of San Francisco. “We are not just crowning a world champion; we are providing a global stage that matches the incredible skill and intensity of these athletes.”
The 2025 champion, Pauline Courtois of France, is expected to defend her title. Courtois secured her fifth consecutive world title last year in Chicago. She will face 11 top-ranked skippers from the World Sailing rankings.
Race Director Felix Weidling said, “This event is an opportunity to celebrate the strength of the international women’s sailing community.”
