Sailing-Cherbourg to host Nations Cup return after seven-year hiatus

The World Sailing Nations Cup ​will make a triumphant return ​to international waters in ‌2027 ​after a seven-year absence, with France's Cherbourg Yacht Club selected to host the prestigious match-racing ‌competition from September 6-11.

The World Sailing Nations Cup ​will make a triumphant return ​to international waters in ‌2027 ​after a seven-year absence, with France's Cherbourg Yacht Club selected to host the prestigious match-racing ‌competition from September 6-11. The event will feature up to 10 teams in both Open and Women's divisions, selected through regional qualifying processes, competing ‌in identical supplied keelboats typically crewed by three to five ‌sailors.

Cherbourg brings proven match racing credentials to the table, having successfully hosted the 2021 Women's Match Racing World Championships and numerous French national youth and women's ⁠championships. "The ​Nations Cup is ⁠a celebration of national pride and a proven breeding ground for the future ⁠legends of our sport," said World Sailing Vice-President Cory Sertl.

"Its return re-establishes ​a vital, cost-effective international platform for sailors and Member National ⁠Authorities, expanding the reach of match racing and inspiring a new generation of competitors." The ⁠competition, ​which first launched in 1991, pits nations rather than individual skippers against each other and has served as a launching ⁠pad for sailing stars who have gone on to compete in the ⁠America's Cup, ⁠World Match Racing Tour and Olympic Games.

France claimed both Open and Women's titles when the event was ‌last ‌held in San Francisco in 2019. (Editing ​by Christian Radnedge)