Nineteen teams from 15 nations across five continents have confirmed their places at the 2026 Offshore Double Handed World Championship in Marseille.
The fleet brings together Olympic sailors, Ocean Race veterans, and emerging offshore talent from Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, Uruguay, and the United States. Ireland makes its debut at the championship, while Belgium returns to the lineup after an absence.
Uruguay's pairing of Federico Waksman and Dominique Knüppel arrives with solid form behind them. Waksman won the 2023 Mini Transat; Knüppel is a Tokyo 2020 Olympian in the Nacra 17 class and an Ocean Race Europe veteran. The two finished third at the 2025 championship.
Belgium's Jonas Gerckens and Djemila Tassin come off a second-place result in the Globe 40, with both sailors also preparing for the upcoming Route du Rhum in the Class40 division.
Sweden again fields Anna Drougge, a veteran of the 2001–2002 Ocean Race, and Martin Angsell, who between them have campaigned the previous two editions of this championship.
Defending champion Thomas Andrew heads the French contingent, returning with new partner Julia Colombe. France's campaign is further strengthened by Christopher Pratt, whose offshore record spans the Figaro circuit, the Transat Café-L'Or, and The Ocean Race, pairing here with Mailys Radulic.
All teams will race on an equalised fleet of Sun Face 30 One Designs, keeping the result firmly about performance on the water. Matt Allen, Chair of World Sailing's Oceanic & Offshore Committee, said the entry list reflects how far the discipline has come: "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."
Race Director Christophe Gaumont added: "It's an honour to manage this the World Sailing Offshore Double Handed World Championships that will unite elite crews from around the world, each bringing unique culture and experiences to the competition. Competing on one-designed boats in the Mediterranean, the races are set to deliver thrilling and closely contested action."
The event will be hosted by Cercle Nautique & Touristique du Lacydon in Marseille, in collaboration with the Royal Ocean Racing Club, Cap Regatta, and the Yacht Club de France, and with the support of the Fédération Française de Voile.
