James Mayo moved into the overall lead at the 2026 Etchells World Championship after a dramatic fourth day of racing in San Diego. Eight races are now complete, with one final contest left to decide the world title.
Race Day 4 brought bright sunshine and a slightly lighter breeze, although sailors described the conditions as choppy and demanding by the end of racing. Australia’s JC Strong aboard Flying Higher made another strong pin-end start in Race 7 and quickly worked into the middle of the course. However, it was Jud Smith on Fast Mermaid who rounded the windward mark first before extending away downwind.
Mermaid Charge: Jud Smith’s Fast Mermaid leads the fleet to victory in Race 7 at the Etchells World Championship in San Diego. Photo: Mark Albertazzi
Smith held the lead to the finish ahead of D Craig Mense’s Freedom, Mayo’s Magpie and Jay Cross aboard Skanky Gene. Discard scores came into play after Race 7 and immediately tightened the leaderboard. Just three points separated the top three boats, with former world champion John Sommi briefly moving into first place ahead of Mayo and Jim Cunningham.
The Corinthian division also remained close, with Andrew Lawson’s No Dramas edging ahead of Ben Wilkinson’s Freebird by one point. “I’m just grateful to share the starting line with such great sailors,” said Sommi. “Being associated with this group has just been an incredible experience.”
Race 8 opened with a San Diego backdrop as a US Navy aircraft carrier appeared beyond the racecourse.
Mayo and his crew fought through a close three-way battle at the top mark, but James McHugh aboard Tquila produced the decisive move at the leeward gate. The Irish boat extended away to claim victory in Race 8. Mayo crossed second and finished the day at the top of the standings with an 11-point lead over Scott Kaufman’s Rogue.
Irish Break: James McHugh’s Tquila IRL 1501 claims Race 8 honours after a strong move at the leeward gate. Photo: Mark Albertazzi
Kaufman was carrying a discarded disqualification from Race 3 after hitting a mark earlier in the series. “At the end of the day, we just have an incredible team,” Mayo said. “Not just the three of us, but everyone who has sailed with us before this past year.”
If Mayo secures the title after the final race, he will become the first sailor in more than 40 years to win three consecutive Etchells World Championships, matching David Curtis’s achievement from 1983.
The final race is scheduled for Friday, with several leading crews still mathematically in contention for the championship.
