2026 World Championship FAQs

When and where are the 2026 IOD World Championship?
The 2026 IOD World Championships will be held in Marblehead, MA between June 13 and June 19, 2026.  Saturday June 13 is devoted to arriving and registering (housing begins that evening); Racing begins on Sunday June 14 and concludes on Friday June 19. The Championship Dinner will be held at the Eastern Yacht Club Friday evening June 19.

Who is the host Yacht Club for the 2026 IOD World Championship?
The 2026 World Championships are being hosted by the Marblehead IOD Fleet, the IOD World Class Association, and Marblehead’s Eastern Yacht Club.  Most regatta activities will take place at the Eastern, though some social events will take place in and around Marblehead.

How many teams will be invited to the 2026 IOD World Championship?
A final competitor count is not known at this time.  A minimum-sized event would include the defending champion, plus a representative from each of the ten Fleets that completed Qualifiers in 2025. It may be possible to invite additional teams to the event, but this will not be known until mid-spring 2026.  Several members of the Fishers Island and Nantucket Fleets are exploring the possibility of loaning boats to the 2026 World Championship, which may allow the event to include additional teams. 

How will Invitations to the 2026 IOD World Championship be allocated and sent?
Invitations for the 2026 IOD World Championships are allocated and sent by the IOD World Class Secretary, following the procedures set down in the IOD Championship Regulations, Section IV. 

Additional Fleet Invitations, if available will be allocated by the IODWCA executive committee, using the procedures set out in the Championship Regulations) and distributed as soon as possible after the initial invitations have been sent out. However, it may some weeks before any “extra” invitations are extended.

My Fleet is interested in a second invitation, what should I do?
The invitation process is managed by the WCA Executive Committee,  following the procedures set down in the IOD Championship Regulations, Section IV. However, it is never a bad idea to communicate your fleet’s interest to the WCA secretary. Fleets should bear in mind that at present it is unlikely that there will be more than 1-2 extra invitations.

What is the Social Schedule?
The Marblehead Fleet is planning a full week of social activities with full dinners laid on most evenings of the regatta. The final social schedule is being sorted out, and will be announced in the early spring of 2026.

When will the Notice of Race and the Sailing Instructions be published?
The NoR is under review  It should be published here before the end of February 2026. The Sailing Instructions will be published in late May or early June.

How much is the Entry Fee for the 2026 IOD World Championship?
The entry fee is not determined yet. It will be included in the Notice of Race. The entry fee will include all racing and insurance fees, plus five (5) transferrable social packages.

How much is the Social Fee for the 2026 IOD World Championship?
The social program for the 2026 IOD World Championship is still being organized. Full dinners are planned for most evenings of the regatta. The full social schedule and the price of the stand-alone social package will be announced later this year.  Five social packages are included with the entry fee, and stand-alone social packages for extra crew and guests will be available before registration.  (All competitors and guests are expected to purchase a 2026 World Championship social package)

 What are the Insurance arrangements for the 2026 IOD World Championship?
Competing skippers and co-skippers will be enrolled in a borrowed boat insurance program for the week of racing. Competitors should arrange their own personal liability insurance. No liability insurance will be provided through the regatta. The insurance cost will be included in the regatta entry fee. Co-skippers will not need to pay an additional fee.

As is customary at these events, teams will need to provide the regatta organizers with a damage deposit ($1500USD) to serve as a deductible and provide funds for small incidents.  This damage deposit will be returned to the skippers, less any deductions for damages incurred, at the end of the regatta.  We prefer to receive the damage deposit via check or Venmo. Credit card payment is accepted, however, any refunds for credit card payment will be made net of credit card fees.

What forms of payment will be accepted?
We expect to be able to transact payments via Venmo (preferred), credit card, or check.  We expect to be able to process payments made with VISA, Mastercard, and possibly American Express. There will be a small processing fee added to credit card transactions. 

What is the racing schedule?
The tentative racing schedule begins on Sunday June 14.  Racing will conclude on Friday June 19.  There may be a spare race day. Teams should expect championship-length races. 

The SIs will allow RC to hold up to three Championship Races on any day of the regatta.

What are the expected conditions?
The Marblehead sailing area is in unprotected Atlantic Ocean waters south east Marblehead harbor.  Almost weather can appear in mid-June. Most years, the conditions will feature our typical spring weather pattern, with colder, dense air, and fresh breezes—system driven winds.  But it is a transitional season, and it is quite possible that land-driven sea breezes will make an appearance, especially on clear days.  During spring storms, especially offshore storms, the sea state, which can include both chop and large ocean swells, will be an important feature of the racing area. If the wind is off the ocean, it can be chilly on the race course.

How will housing be arranged?
In keeping with the long-standing tradition of the IOD Class, the Marblehead fleet will make every effort to provide visiting sailors and their guests with accommodations in local homes. Visiting teams are asked to make their housing requirements known to us by completing the online housing form as soon as possible after it is posted (sometime in February).  We will do our best to accommodate every reasonable request – including spouses, children, significant others. Housing will begin on Saturday night, June 13, and end on Saturday morning June 20.

 Will I need a car for the 2026 IOD World Championship?
We recommend that each team have access to at least one car.  Although we expect that the majority of host homes will be in Marblehead, some teams may be housed more than a mile from the Yacht Clubs.  In addition, several social events are planned to take place a short drive from the clubs.

What arrangements or options are there for racing lunches? 
Competing teams are asked to be responsible for their own on-the-water lunches. Marblehead boasts many wonderful sandwich shops would will welcome your business during the Championship week.

Will there be 2026 World Championship shirts, hats and other merchandise? Can I order in advance? 
Yes. Regatta gear will be available for advance order during the spring.

I have questions about the 2026 IOD World Championship, where should I send them?
Please send your questions about the 2026 World Championship to Greg Mancusi-Ungaro (Marblehead Fleet Captain).

I would like to come to Marblehead and help with the event, either as available crew or as a member of the Race Committee or regatta support team, how do I make that happen?
Please email us and let us know.  Nothing is assured, of course, but the regatta organizers will keep a crew list and will try to match sailors with crews who may need extra hands, and may also be seeking people to help with Race Committee and other on-the-water roles…

What is the New England Challenge?
As a thank you for those teams from Fishers Island that loan their boats to the 2026 World Championship, the Marblehead Fleet is offering a 2-day sail-your-own-boat regatta on the Saturday and Sunday before the World Championship. (June 6&7).  Four to Six races are anticipated, and awards will be presented after sailing on Sunday.

Who is eligible to compete in the New England Challenge?
All teams who are loaning their boat to the 2026 IOD World Championship may sail in the New England Challenge.

What is the entry fee for the New England Challenge?  Will there be housing?
There is no entry fee or social fee for the New England Challenge – bring your boat to Marblehead, and you can compete, enjoy local hosting, and join in the social events on Saturday evening (most likely in a private home) and Sunday after racing.