James Mayo and Magpie AUS 1526 made Etchells class history in San Diego by winning a third consecutive World Championship title. Mayo, sailing with Paul Cayard and Ben Lamb, sealed the 2026 crown with victory in the regatta’s final race off the California coast.
The Australian team finished the championship on 56 points. Scott Kaufman’s Rogue USA 1519 took second on 73 points, while 2023 champion John Sommi and Encore USA 1529 finished third on 80 points.
Magpie AUS 1526, sailed by James Mayo, Paul Cayard and Ben Lamb, on the way to victory in the final race of the 2026 Etchells World Championship in San Diego. Photo: Mark Albertazzi
The final day began with a two-hour postponement while sailors waited for the breeze to build. Once racing got underway in 10-knot winds, Canada’s Luke Lawrence aboard Cruel Jane CAN 1531 led early after the first windward mark.
Magpie stayed close and overtook the Canadians on the second beat before controlling the final downwind leg to secure the title. “This is a dream come true, it’s very emotional,” Mayo said. “Together, everyone achieves magic.” The victory marks the first time in more than 40 years that a team has won three straight Etchells World Championship titles.
Cayard, competing in only his 20th day sailing an Etchells, praised the standard of competition. “A lot of great teams were here, so it is an honour to win and have my name on the same trophy as some of my idols like Dennis Conner and Vince Brun,” he said.
Ben Lamb described the regatta as one of the toughest in the class. “This is probably the hardest Etchells Worlds I’ve ever done,” Lamb said. “To be mixing it up with Olympians, America’s Cup winners and World Champions feels good — but to win is just incredible.”
Mayo hinted he may return to defend the title again at the 2027 championship in Hong Kong. “I think Hong Kong would be a wonderful place to sail,” he said.
