More than 200 athletes from over 40 nations have registered for the second edition of the World Sailing Inclusion Championships, setting up a record fleet when racing begins in Portimão next October.
Entries span eight disciplines, making it one of the most internationally diverse Para Inclusive Sailing events yet staged. The event opens on 4 October 2026 on Portugal's Algarve coast.
Before the fleet hits the water, the Inclusive Development Programme will run for sailors, coaches and race officials from nations still building their sailing base. The programme has opened the door for several countries making their championship debut.
Barbados, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis and Vietnam are among those arriving for the first time. Last year's inaugural event also drew plenty of new teams, suggesting the growth is sustained rather than a one-off.
The fleets themselves show where the sport is heading. The Para Inclusive One Person Keelboat World Championship, sailed in the Hansa 303, is the largest with 56 entries. The Para Inclusive Two-Person Keelboat World Championship in the RS Venture Connect has drawn 30 entries, which could mean as many as 60 sailors on the water.
Smaller fleets sit alongside those numbers. The Inclusive Two-Person Keelboat Open Championship, also in the Hansa 303, has 16 entries, potentially 32 sailors. The Para One-Person Technical class, sailed in the 2.4mR, has 14 entries.
Two new additions stand out. The Para Multihull, sailed in the Challenger, has attracted 12 entries in its first year on the programme. A Para WingFoil demonstration event has already pulled in 10 entries, an early sign that foiling is finding its way into Para Inclusive Sailing.
The Visually Impaired World Championships has 12 crews entered, representing 48 sailors from Brazil, Canada, Spain, France, Great Britain, Japan, Sweden and the USA. Five entries make up the Intellectual Impairment World Championship, from St Kitts & Nevis, Trinidad & Tobago, and Hong Kong, China.
Ferran Muniesa, World Sailing Director of Events, said: "The response underscores the deep passion and demand for Para Inclusive Sailing events on the world stage. Generous funding from The America's Cup will help to make this year's World Sailing Inclusion Championships more comprehensive than last year as we add classes and increase the potential for Para and Inclusive Sailing to grow around the world. We are immensely grateful to our hosts in Portimão for sharing our vision of a sport that is accessible to everyone, regardless of ability."
Hannah Stodel, World Sailing's Para World Sailing Manager, added: "This is more than just a competition; it's a celebration of our diverse and capable athletes and a huge step forward in our mission to grow Para Inclusive sailing globally. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to Portimão for what promises to be an unforgettable week of racing and camaraderie."
The event sits within World Sailing's Para Inclusive Strategy 2024-2029.
The opening ceremony is set for 4 October 2026. The 2026 championships are delivered in partnership with Vela Solidária, the Municipality of Portimão and the Portuguese Sailing Federation, with backing from The America's Cup.
