The 2026 J/70 European Championship concluded on July 25, after five intense days of competition, in which all ten races scheduled on the programme were completed. Hosted by Real Club Náutico de Barcelona, 82 boats from 24 countries took part in one of the largest and most competitive editions of the championship.

The final day was sailed in an easterly wind of 8-12 knots, with ideal conditions to decide the titles at stake. The penultimate race went to the American Rowdy, skippered by Richard Mitzel, ahead of the Spanish Patakin, helmed by Luis Albert Solana, and the German Paint It Black. With everything still to be decided, Hang Ten held on to the European lead while Empeiria arrived with a chance to take the overall victory.

The outcome was decided in the tenth and final race. The American Empeiria, helmed by John Heaton, finished ahead of the Portuguese SailCascais and the Brazilian OceanPact, a result that secured the overall championship title. Hang Ten sealed the 2026 J/70 European Championship title by finishing as the top European team in the standings.

In the category standings, Hang Ten once again took centre stage by also winning the Corinthian division, reserved for amateur crews, in which 31 boats competed, rounding out an exceptional championship.

In the One Pro Division, with 16 teams in contention, victory went to the Danish Sirena Chico, helmed by Peter Buhl alongside Tomislav Basic, Matias Rossing and Mads Christian. The Mixed Division went to the Portuguese Active Sailing, skippered by Artem Basalkin alongside Anna Smotrova, Denis Kondranin, Anna Putintseva and Maria Beliakova. In the Young Crew category, victory went to the German Paint It Black, from Norddeutscher Regatta Verein, with Mats Schönebeck, Fabius Müller-Kauter, Aike Braje and Bjarne Stegelmann on board.

The Perpetual Trophy, awarded to the championship’s top female skipper, went to the French Béatrice Joyaud, at the helm of Jour J.