Jeanne-Claude “JC” Strong and her Flying Higher crew stole the show on Day 2 of the 2026 Etchells Worlds in San Diego, scoring back-to-back race wins to surge up the leaderboard. Racing unfolded on the Coronado Roads Race Course under an unusual thick marine layer that kept the 76-boat fleet guessing throughout the morning, with shifting pressure and unstable breeze directions making strategy a premium commodity.
In Race 3, the left side of the course paid off early and decisively. Strong led from a pin end start all the way around the racetrack, her boat instantly recognizable thanks to distinctive pink sail numbers and a pink spinnaker. Onboard with Strong were Seve Jarvin and Sam Newton, fresh off Team Australia’s SailGP victory in Bermuda.
“Winning these races, I had such a feeling of happiness,” Strong said. “It was just amazing, I could feel my heart beating out of my chest.”
Following Flying Higher across the line was USA 1453, helmed by Rick Merriman, a member of the winning crew from the 2000 Etchells Worlds in San Diego. Close behind was International Etchells Class President and North American Champion Jim Cunningham aboard Lifted. Cunningham’s experienced team includes four-time world champion crew members Steve Hunt, Erik Shampain, and Serena Village.
By Race 4, the marine layer had largely burned off and sunshine returned to San Diego, but the breeze remained fickle. A significant right shift on the opening beat quickly reshuffled the fleet, with some boats able to set spinnakers directly from the offset mark. The first downwind leg produced constant lead changes as crews searched for pressure across the widening race track.
Once again, Flying Higher capitalized early. Strong repeated her left-side strategy off the line and benefited from the shifting conditions, rounding both the first weather mark and leeward gate with a commanding lead. At one stage, the Australian crew held nearly a two-minute advantage over second-place Austin Sperry’s Raygun, sailed with America’s Cup and Ocean Race veterans Noel Drennan and John Kostecki.
As conditions continued to evolve, the Race Committee displayed the Charlie flag and adjusted the course for the final windward leg of the day, spreading the 76-boat fleet widely across Coronado Roads as the breeze continued its gradual rightward trend. Strong rounded the final mark comfortably ahead to secure her second win of the day and establish herself as one of the early standouts of the championship.
In the Corinthian Division, the Rhode Island brother-and-sister duo of Ben and Sarah Wilkinson delivered an impressive performance, finishing third overall in the second race of the day. Their strong result vaulted the team into the lead of the amateur division heading into Day 3 of competition.
At the top of the overall standings, consistency has proven critical in the highly volatile conditions. Jim Cunningham and the Lifted crew moved into the overall lead after Day 2 thanks to a steady 3-6 scoreline on Tuesday. While many teams saw dramatic swings in finishes across the four races completed so far, Cunningham’s experienced crew has remained consistently near the front of the fleet.
All information on the 2026 Etchells Worlds can be found on the regatta website, while results of each race and the overall regatta are posted on YachtScoring. The event is graciously hosted by San Diego Yacht Club.
