Tangier Sets a Records for Participating Nations - Star Sailors League Continues to Support the Future of Sailing
From 18 to 28 June, the 2026 Optimist World Championship are taking place in Tangier, Morocco, bringing together the world's best young sailors for one of the most prestigious events in junior sailing. This year's championship has attracted 284 sailors and a record number of participating nations, making it one of the most international editions in the event's history.
Star Sailors League is proud to be a partner and sponsor of the championship and for good reason. One of SSL's key missions is to help develop the sport in emerging sailing nations, especially across Africa and island communities, creating opportunities for young sailors to grow and compete internationally.
Last month, we had the pleasure of welcoming teams from Morocco, Tahiti, Seychelles and Mozambique to our training base in Grandson. It is always a special experience to host sailors who travel thousands of kilometres to train in Europe, exchange knowledge and gain valuable international racing experience. These initiatives are an important part of helping young athletes build their future in the sport.
Tangier has once again proven to be an outstanding sailing venue. With sunny weather, steady 15–17 knot winds and the tactical challenges of Tangier Bay, the championship has provided excellent racing conditions throughout the week.
For many of these young sailors, events like the Optimist World Championship are just the beginning of their sailing journey. Previous generations in many developing sailing nations did not have access to the same opportunities. Today, thanks to programmes supported by Star Sailors League and its partners, talented children have the chance to train, compete internationally and continue developing their careers.
Investing in youth sailing means investing in the future of our sport. By supporting young sailors from every corner of the world, SSL is helping create a stronger, more inclusive, and truly global sailing community.
Fot. Matías Capizzano / Optimist World Championship
