The 2026 Team Racing World Championship in Stockholm is shaping up as a notable event, combining fierce on-water competition with technology that could change how spectators experience the sport.
Twelve national teams will race on identical J/80s on the stadium-style waters of Riddarfjärden, in the heart of the Swedish capital. Among them will be the reigning world champions from Corinthian Yacht Club (USA), returning to defend the title they won in Newport.
Skipper Will Bailey acknowledges the transition to J/80s has required work. "Racing in J/80s is new for us, so there's been a steep learning curve. Being able to train right in the city, on a harbour course similar to Stockholm, has been incredibly valuable," he says. The format suits the venue. "The races are short, intense, and incredibly close. Anyone can win any race, which makes it exciting for sailors and spectators alike."
Despite carrying the champion's mantle, Bailey sounds relaxed about the defence. "Last year there was much more pressure because we really wanted to win. Now we're looking forward to enjoying the event. If we sail freely and have fun, I think the results will follow." That attitude runs through the broader fleet, with teams across the board describing enjoyment as their primary motivation.
Off the water, the event will debut a technology platform that could shift how team racing is consumed by casual spectators. Team racing's tactical complexity has always been its main barrier from shore, where a rapid sequence of mark roundings and right-of-way plays can be genuinely hard to read, even for knowledgeable sailing fans.
ViewRegatta, developed by Swedish start-up Regattify, uses smartphones mounted on each boat to stream real-time GPS, gyroscope, and video data, replicating a high-end broadcast experience at a fraction of the traditional cost. The system was built by competitive sailor and aerospace engineer Martin Alsén alongside telemetry experts Ulf Ekstedt and Cindy Han.
What sets it apart is the AI layer driving the experience. The platform processes live positioning data against the Racing Rules of Sailing to decode tactical plays as they happen, explains why decisions are being made, and predicts upcoming manoeuvres before they unfold. Viewers on shore can follow 3D digital twins of each race, showing boat speeds, wind shifts, and live onboard video feeds on their mobile devices.
With 96 of the world's best team racers competing along Norr Mälarstrand and around Riddarfjärden, and an AI platform promising to bring every tactical nuance to spectators on shore, the 2026 championship has real ambitions to set a new benchmark for how major sailing events are run and experienced.
