The stage is set for one of the most competitive youth sailing events of the season as the 2026 ILCA 6 Youth European Championships & Open European Trophy takes place from 10–18 July in Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Hosted by the Nautical Athletic Club of Kalamaria Thessaloniki in partnership with EurILCA, the championship has attracted 316 sailors from across Europe and beyond, including 226 boys and 90 girls, underlining the strength and popularity of the ILCA 6 youth class. Over six days of racing in the waters of the Thermaic Gulf, the fleet will compete for European Championship titles and the Open European Trophy.
Following three days dedicated to registration, equipment inspection and the opening ceremony, racing gets underway on 13 July, with the championship concluding on 18 July after the final races and the prize-giving ceremony.
The event will feature separate boys’ and girls’ fleets racing across two course areas, with qualification rounds leading into the final series. Up to two races are scheduled each day, promising an intense and demanding championship where consistency will be key.
Beyond the overall standings, sailors will compete for the prestigious titles of ILCA 6 Youth European Champion in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions, as well as the Under-17 European Championship titles. With non-European competitors also taking part, the Open European Trophy will recognize the top overall performers regardless of nationality, adding another layer of competition to an already world-class fleet.
Girls’ Fleet: Medalists Return for Another Showdown
The girls’ championship promises a fascinating battle, featuring an exceptional lineup of established international performers.
Among the favourites is Greece’s Hermione Ghicas, who will enjoy home waters as one of the championship’s leading contenders. She is joined by a strong group of recent World and European Championship medalists, including Sienna Wright (Ireland), Blanca Ferrando Babe (Spain), Gabriela Morell (Spain), Katrina Micallef (Malta), Lena Adamska (Poland), Leanne Turrin (Switzerland), Camille Vallotton (Switzerland) and Derin Bartan (Türkiye).
With so many proven performers on the start line, the girls’ fleet is expected to deliver some of the closest racing of the championship.
Boys’ Fleet: A Deep Field of Talent
The boys’ fleet is equally stacked with talent, featuring numerous sailors who have already reached the podium at major international youth events.
Among those to watch are Jiri Tomes (Czech Republic), Nathan Wehrle (France), home favourites Konstantinos Portosalte and Stefanos Samaras (Greece), Italy’s trio of Alberto Avanzini, Giovanni Bedoni and Lorenzo Ghirotti, Alexander Hartsink (Netherlands), and the Turkish duo of Ali Poyraz Ozdemir and Sadrihan Suer.
With such depth throughout the fleet, every race is expected to be highly competitive from the opening day through to the medal-deciding final series.
International Challenge
While the European titles are reserved for eligible European sailors, several top international athletes will also be racing for the Open European Trophy.
Among them are New Zealand’s Chloe Turner and Brazil’s Erik Scheidt, both past international medalists who will add further quality to an already outstanding entry list and challenge the European contenders throughout the week.
A Championship to Watch
With hundreds of young sailors representing nations from across Europe and beyond, the 2026 ILCA 6 Youth European Championships promises a week of high-level racing, emerging talent and exciting competition in one of Greece’s most renowned sailing venues.
As the countdown reaches its final days, all eyes now turn to Kalamaria, where Europe’s next youth champions are about to be crowned.
For further information about the event, visit the official event website: https://2026-ilca6youth.eurilca-europeans.org/
Photos: Prow Media – 2025 Edition