HEDGEHOG Leads J/70 Corinthian World Championship in Marseille

(Marseille, France)- After three days of sailing in the J/70 Corinthian Worlds, the 88 teams representing 20 nations (Australia, Bermuda, Denmark, Estonia, France, Great Britain, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey and the United States), are experiencing seriously challenging conditions in the waters off Marseilles, France. Here’s what is going down over those first three days.

Day 1
The first day opened with spectacular conditions on the waters off Marseille. The combined Race Committee/ PRO teams were hosted by Club La Pelle and Union Nautique Marseillaise.

Under sunshine and warm Mediterranean temperatures, sailors completed one race in shifty conditions. The breeze began at 7-9 knots before softening near the second weather mark to 5-7 knots, then filling back to 7-9 knots by the finish. Only one race was completed as the winds dropped by late afternoon. Despite the changing conditions, the top 10 or so teams remained remarkably consistent throughout the race, showcasing the depth of talent assembled.

Leading the standings after the opening contest was Robert Davis aboard NUTCRACKER (AUS). Second was Stefano Roberti sailing PICCININA (MON), while Andrew & Mallory Loe’s DIME (USA) held third.

Day 2
The racing continued on Wednesday with another challenging day of light and variable conditions on the Golfe de Marseille.

Following Tuesday’s single match, competitors once again completed one race on Wednesday as the Race Committee patiently worked through a delayed seabreeze that didn’t arrive as forecast. Teams set off in the morning, anticipating the early thermal. But, after an AP postponement afloat, officials moved the course farther offshore in search of more stable pressure.

The new racing area delivered 8-10 knots for the setup, with Race 2 beginning in 7-9 knots under brilliant sunshine and warm Mediterranean temperatures. As the race progressed, the breeze steadily faded, forcing the Race Committee to shorten the course at the second weather mark as winds dropped to 5-6 knots.

Despite the difficult conditions over the opening two days, several teams have demonstrated remarkable consistency in the shifty, tactical racing. Australia’s Sam Haynes and CELESTIAL now lead the Championship after posting the win in Wednesday’s race. Norway’s Kristoffer Spone aboard BAGDAD II sat second overall, while the United States’ Andrew Loe and DIME were third. CELESTIAL captured victory in Race 2 on Wednesday, followed by Bermuda’s Alec Cutler and HEDGEHOG in second, with France’s Denis Infante aboard EUROVOILES taking third.

Day 3
After two days defined by light, unpredictable winds, the fleet enjoyed the conditions they had been waiting for on Thursday. The RC/PRO team from the two host clubs delivered three excellent races in classic Mediterranean conditions, bringing the regatta total to 5 completed races. Thursday’s full schedule introduced the Championship’s discard race. The result reshuffled portions of the leaderboard, rewarding teams that combined consistency with clean racing.

Competitors were greeted by sparkling seas, sunshine, warm temperatures, and steadily building breeze throughout the afternoon— champagne sailing conditions in every sense. The opening race began in 7-9 knots before increasing to 8-10 in race four, with the breeze shifting slightly right. By the final race of the day, a stable 10-12 knot seabreeze settled across the course.

At the top of the standings, Bermuda’s Alec Cutler and the team aboard HEDGEHOG maintained their impressive form and now led the Championship with 16 net points. Just two points behind was Andrew Loe’s DIME from the United States at 18 net points.

Thursday’s racing produced a variety of race winners and podium finishers across the highly competitive 88-boat fleet. In Race 3, Cutler’s HEDGEHOG took the victory ahead of Robert Davis’ NUTCRAKCER of Australia and Tonu Toniste’s LENNY of Estonia. Italy’s Gianfranco Noe steered WHITE HAWK to victory in Race 4, followed by HEDGEHOG and Denmark’s Kim Christensen aboard SOFFE. Race 5 belonged to Mexico’s Ignacio Perez and ZAGUERO, with Loe’s DIME finishing second and Great Britain’s Ali Hall aboard CALYPSO claiming third.

The regatta has ten races scheduled to be completed by Saturday, May 30th, 2026.

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J/70 Corinthian World Championship sailing information
https://www.j70mcwc.com