Game time for 470 World Championship

The 2026 470 World Championship on August 12-16 has attracted 74 teams from 28 nations to vie for the title at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic venue – Enoshima, Japan. As the boat used for the Mixed Two Person Dinghy Olympic event, all eyes will be on Spain’s Jordi Xammar, who is aiming to defend the World Championship title for the third consecutive year.

Xammar first won the world title in Palma in 2024, before successfully defending it in Gdynia, Poland, in 2025 alongside Marta Cardona. Now, with another world title on the line, the Spanish skipper faces one of the toughest fleets ever assembled.

“We’re lucky that Jordi competed at the Tokyo Olympics on this racecourse, where he won the bronze medal, so he has a lot of experience here and plenty of data from that time,” said Cardona. “Having all that previous knowledge of the venue is a very valuable tool for us going into the championship.

Sailors can expect strong thermal winds, high temperatures, and significant tidal effects, making tactical decision-making just as important as boat speed. The venue is renowned for rewarding the most complete teams capable of adapting to constantly changing conditions.

Among the strongest medal contenders are Britain’s Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris, who have enjoyed an outstanding 2026 campaign. The British duo claimed the European Championship title in Vilamoura, won the World Cup events in Palma and Hyères, and most recently topped the podium at the Los Angeles pre-Olympic regatta in San Pedro against many of the world’s leading 470 teams.

“It’s really nice to be back in Japan, it feels a bit like the home of the 470 with so many Japanese boats out on the water every day!” shared Wrigley. “It’s been a good season for us so far, and we’re really excited to try and put everything together for the biggest event of the year.”

Returning to the fleet are the Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medalists, Sweden’s Anton Dahlberg and Lovisa Karlsson. After stepping away from international competition following the Games, the Swedish pair returned this season and immediately demonstrated their class by finishing third at the Los Angeles pre-Olympic regatta.

North America will be represented by Justin Callahan and Lara Dallman-Weiss (USA).

Details: https://2026worlds.470.org/en/default/races/race