The International Star Class has revealed its 2026 racing season schedule, delivering a compelling mix of storied traditions, world-class competition, and a truly global footprint anchored by some of the most revered events in the sport of sailing.
The fleet kicks off its travels with a move north from Miami to Gull Lake, Michigan, where the Western Hemisphere Championship will run from May 20 to 24, 2026. Gull Lake has earned a strong reputation for producing tactical, challenging races in classic inland conditions, and it already hosts the popular annual Vintage Gold Cup contested aboard wooden Star boats.
Attention then crosses the Atlantic for the Eastern Hemisphere Championship, organized by Spartacus Sailing Club on Lake Balaton, Hungary, from May 30 to June 6, 2026. As Central Europe’s largest lake, Lake Balaton has steadily risen in stature as a top-tier international sailing destination, presenting competitors with a distinctive and demanding racing environment.
Later in the summer, the 2026 Star European Championship will unfold at Regatta Center Medemblik in The Netherlands from August 24 to 29. Medemblik stands among Europe’s finest sailing facilities, boasting a proven history of hosting elite-level regattas. Its résumé includes major Olympic-class championships and numerous World Sailing–sanctioned events, cementing its reputation for consistent excellence in top-flight competition.
The season then returns to the United States, with Florida reclaiming the spotlight for the Star Class. The North American Championship is set for Davis Island Yacht Club from October 24 to 29, 2026, offering the final high-level preparation opportunity before the year’s marquee event.
The crowning jewel of the calendar, the Star World Championship and its legendary Gold Star trophy, heads back to Miami from November 5 to 14, 2026. Defending World Champions Paul Cayard of the United States and Frithjof Kleen of Germany will return to protect the title they claimed in 2025, as the planet’s finest Star sailors gather for six days of intense racing on a spectacular course. Staying true to the traditional Star format, crews will be tested across long legs stretching up to two miles, with races averaging approximately two hours and placing extraordinary demands on strategy, endurance, and physical strength.
With legendary venues, historic regattas, and a schedule that stretches across two hemispheres, the 2026 International Star Class season is shaping up to deliver exceptional competition while upholding a legacy that has defined sailing excellence for more than a century. Staying faithful to the Class motto — “Honoring the past, leading the future” — organizers will also implement special provisions for U30 categories throughout the season, reinforcing the Star Class’s ongoing commitment to nurturing young talent and welcoming the next generation into one of sailing’s most challenging and prestigious fleets.
