26/06/2026
Things Are Hotting Up!
Excitement is mounting as Hayling Island Sailing Club prepares to host the 2026 International 505 Class Championship, with racing getting underway on 5 July.
As the International 505 Class celebrates the 70th anniversary of its first World Championship, the fleet is set for one of the most competitive championships in recent years. The event is proudly supported by Allen Brothers, long-time supporters of the class and suppliers of high-performance hardware trusted by many of the world’s leading 505 teams.
This year’s championship will also showcase Allen’s innovative new Wheel of Tune, with a large proportion of the fleet fitting the system ahead of the event. Designed to provide fast, precise and reliable rig tension adjustment, the Wheel of Tune allows sailors to make accurate rig changes on the water with ease – a valuable advantage when racing in the varied conditions that Hayling Island is renowned for.
There are currently over 90 boats entered from 11 different countries, including numerous past World Champions from both the 505 class and other elite dinghy classes. The front of the fleet promises to be fiercely competitive, with Australia’s Peter Nicholas and Luke Payne looking to reclaim the title they last won in Sweden two years ago.
Standing in their way will be Germany’s Jan-Philipp Hofmann and Felix Björn Brockerhoff, who have come agonisingly close to securing their first World Championship and have been the benchmark team across Europe over the past few seasons.
The United States also arrives with a formidable line-up. Multiple World Champions Mike Holt and Carl Smit, together with the legendary Howie Hamlin and Andy Zinn, will all be challenging for the top honours.
Although Britain has not produced a 505 World Champion for nearly 20 years, the host nation boasts both the largest entry and several genuine title contenders. Home favourites include reigning European Champions Roger Gilbert and Ian Mitchell, Paul Brotherton and James Fawcett, fresh from victory at the Euro Cup on Lake Garda, and current UK Champions Mike Sims and Carl Gibbon.
Adding to the occasion, four-time World Champion Peter Colclough returns to World Championship competition more than thirty years after his last appearance, demonstrating the remarkable longevity and appeal of the International 505.
The fleet also features a strong contingent of mixed and women’s teams, whose pace continues to impress. Leading that charge are the USA’s AJ Conrads and Jon Bell, reigning Pacific Coast Champions, who finished an impressive fourth at Lake Garda just a few weeks ago.
The Youth Trophy is expected to be closely contested between teams who have recently stepped into the 505 after successful campaigns in the 29er, 420 and Olympic skiff classes. Sam Goult and Alex Brown are among the standout teams to watch.
The Classics Fleet (boats over 25 years old) is also exceptionally well represented, with 15 entries competing for the prestigious Classics Trophy while racing alongside the modern fleet. Local sailors Steve Culpitt and Mark Nicholson will need to be at their very best but have every chance of making their mark against strong international competition.
Beyond the racing, the championship promises to celebrate everything that makes the 505 class unique. Daily fun team prizes will encourage sailors from across the fleet to socialise, share knowledge and strengthen the class’s renowned international camaraderie.
Competitors taking part in the Pre-Worlds Regatta will also benefit from coaching by top coach Adam Bowers, whose ability to improve and motivate sailors of every level is widely respected.
Throughout the championship, Trac Trac UK will provide live race tracking, allowing sailing fans around the world to follow every race as the battle for the 2026 World Championship unfolds.
