Sint Maarten hosts 30th Caribbean Dinghy Championship
Seven classes, from Optimist to ILCA 7, race off St Maarten from 23 to 25 October, with Team Antigua defending six straight regional titles.
The Sint Maarten Yacht Club runs the 30th Caribbean Dinghy Championship from 23 to 25 October 2026, bringing youth and adult fleets from across the region to St Maarten. The event is sanctioned by the Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) and is the Caribbean's main dinghy championship, with a class list that will look familiar to anyone racing ILCAs or Optimists in Britain.
What happened
- Three days of racing, 23–25 October 2026, hosted by the Sint Maarten Yacht Club (SMYC) and sanctioned by the CSA.
- Classes entered: Optimist, RS Quest, RS Zest, ILCA 4, ILCA 6, ILCA 7 and Sun Fast 20, covering both junior and adult sailors.
- The championship was first held in 1985; this is its 30th edition, and the 2025 event was run by Antigua Yacht Club.
- Team Antigua arrive as Nations Cup holders after six consecutive championship wins, the most recent on home water.
- SMYC manager Saskia Revelman said the championship "represents the very best of sailing in our region".
Why it matters
- One regional championship spanning Optimist to ILCA 7 gives small clubs a clear pathway from junior boats to adult racing — the same progression RYA (Royal Yachting Association) squads use at home.
- St Maarten's steady trade winds make it a reliable breeze venue for clubs planning winter training or regatta trips.
- Notice of Race, schedule and entry details are with the organisers.
Source: Sint Maarten Yacht Club to host 30th CSA Caribbean Dinghy Championship, Sail-World, 17 July 2026. Summary by Pushing the Boat Out.