World Sailing is pleased to announce that the 2026 Women’s Match Racing World Championship will be hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, California, on September 30-October 4, 2026.

“It is an honor for us to host the World Sailing Women’s Match Racing World Championship and we look forward to welcoming the best female sailors in the world to our waters,” said Susan Ruhne, the 2026 Commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club, which has played host to the 2023 and 2025 Women’s World Match Racing Tour, the 2025 US Women’s Match Racing Championship and the 2022 US Women’s Match Racing Championship Qualifier. “For several years running, our club has been committed to hosting and fostering high-level competitions for female sailors and our membership will be thrilled to watch the best of the best racing in close quarters on the waters just outside our clubhouse. This will be a thrilling event for spectators and fans of the sport.”

The 2025 champion, Pauline Courtois and her Match in Pink by Normandy Elite Team from Le Havre, France, will be invited to defend her title. Courtois captured her fifth consecutive World Sailing Women’s Match Racing World Championship last September at Chicago Yacht Club. In 2026 in San Francisco, Courtois and her team’s five-year winning streak will be tested by 11 top-ranked female skippers invited from World Sailing Women’s Match Racing Ranking list.

Racing will be in round robin format, held in StFYC’s fleet of J/22s, with skippers competing with crews of four. After a practice day on September 30, four days of racing will commence on October 1, with finals and awards held on October 4.

“This event is not only a sporting highlight but also an opportunity to celebrate the thrill of match racing and the strength of the international women’s sailing community,” said Felix Weidling, Race Director of St. Francis Yacht Club. “We are committed to creating an unforgettable event together with the athletes, teams and fans here in San Francisco.”

STFYC LOOKS FORWARD TO WELCOMING INVITED SKIPPERS:

Pauline Courtois (FRA), Club de Voile de Saint-Aubin Elbeuf

Anna Oestling (SWE), Royal Gothenburg Yacht Club

Lea Richter Vogelius (DEN)

Julia Aartsen (NED), Royal Netherlands Yacht Club

Megan Thomson (NZL), Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron

Nicole Breault (USA), St. Francis Yacht Club

Martina Carlsson (SWE), Royal Gothenburg Yacht Club

Julia D’Amodio (FRA)

Lindsey Baab (USA), St. Francis Yacht Club

Allison Blecher (USA), California Yacht Club

Juliet Costanzo (AUS), Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club

Kristine Mauritzen (DEN)

EVENT INFORMATION >>