A total of three Canadian boats will take part in the 2026 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 World Championships
Kingston, May 7, 2026 – A total of three Canadian sailing boats will be in action at the 2026 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 World Championships to be held May 12-17 in Saint-Pierre-Quiberon, France.
Amongst them, Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance from Chester, N.S., will aim for a second consecutive gold medal in 2026 following their first-place finish at the first Grand Slam Series event of the year, the Princess Sofia Trophy Regatta. They are currently on top of the World Sailing ranking in 49erFX, with an 11-point lead over the 2025 World Championship silver medalists, Vilma Bobeck and Rebecca Berntsson of Sweden.
The Canadian sisters won the bronze medal at last year’s 49erFX World Championship held in Italy. Overall, they’ve been on the podium in each of their last five major events.
“The 2026 World Championships are fast approaching and our preparation has been a little unconventional, with less time spent out on the water in the venue than we’d normally like,” said Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance. “However, we were excited to launch a new boat just in time for the competition, something which was made possible by the support of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. We’re proud to represent Canada on the world stage and grateful for everyone’s support along the way. We will put our best foot forward and hope you cheer us along!”
The other members of the Canadian Sailing Team who will take part in the event are Thomas Staples and William Staples (Beaconsfield, QC) in 49er, as well as Galen Richardson (Toronto, ON) and Madeline Gillis (Halifax, N.S.) in Nacra 17.
At last year’s championships, they respectively took the 53rd and 25th positions.
Close to 350 sailors will be in action at the 2026 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 World Championships, including 89 % of the medalists from last year’s various World Championships and 28% of the medalists from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the three Olympic classes that are scheduled.
About Sail Canada
Established in 1931, Sail Canada is the national governing body for the sport of sailing in the country. Sail Canada is a leading international sailing nation, proud of its world class athletes, lifelong participants and inclusive culture. The organization and its members are committed to excellence by developing and training its leaders, athletes, sailors, instructors, coaches and officials. With the valued support from our partners, the Provincial Sailing Associations and our member clubs, schools, organizations and stakeholders, sailing is promoted in all its forms. By setting standards and delivering programs from home pond to podium for Canadians of all ages and abilities, from dinghies to keelboats, cruising to navigation, windsurfing to powerboating and accessible sailing, Sail Canada sets sail for all, sail to win and sail for life.
A sport in the Olympic program since the first Games in 1896, except in 1904, the pursuit of success in these Games is what fuels the focus of Sail Canada as Canadian athletes have so far achieved nine Olympic and five Paralympic medals.
