2026 EurILCA Masters Series Launches in Malta

For Masters sailors — the 30+, 40+, 50+, 60+ and 70+ ILCA athletes who refuse to slow down and keep racing as hard as ever — this Malta opener promises everything we love: warm breezes, tight racing, world-class coaching, and a social programme spirited enough to make even the most seasoned sea dog grin like a rookie.

But to understand why this event matters — and why Malta is such a perfect launchpad — you need to understand the beating heart of the EurILCA Masters Series itself.

What Is the EurILCA Masters Series?

A celebration of lifelong sailors, competitive spirit, and ILCA purity**

The EurILCA Masters Series is one of the most loved, most fiercely contested and most community-driven circuits in the ILCA world. Designed exclusively for “Masters” sailors — meaning adult ILCA racers aged 30 and above — the series brings together everyone from ex-Olympians to club heroes, weekend warriors, retired pros, and passionate amateurs who simply refuse to give up the sport they love.

Here’s what makes the Masters Series special:

Age group racing for 30+, 45+, 55+, 65+, 70+ fleets

Masters events aren’t just “one big fleet.” The racing is structured to ensure that everyone — from Great Grand Masters to Apprentices — competes fairly and fiercely within their age division.

ILCA racing at its purest

No foils, no gadgets, no excuses — just the classic Laser / ILCA hull, a mainsheet, your fitness, and your tactics.

World-class coaching built into the series

On-water coaches, daily debriefs, tuning clinics, starting drills — the Masters Series is famous for improving sailors’ skills during the event itself.

Legendary socials

Barbecues. Pasta nights. Cocktail hours. Sailor dinners. Tales from 80-year-old Laser legends. This is where friendships are made — and rivalries are laughed about over a beer or two.

European-wide circuit with iconic venues

Throughout the season, sailors travel to classic racing hotspots: Mallorca, Garda, Hyères, Warnemünde, Douarnenez, Kiel, and more.

And in 2026, it all begins in Malta — the jewel of the Mediterranean winter.

2026 EurILCA Master Malta — January 9–11 Sunshine. Steady breeze. Warm water. A sailor’s dream start to the year.

The 2026 EurILCA Master Malta will be the first leg of the season, setting the pace and the tone for the entire European Masters calendar. For years, ILCA Olympians and national teams have flocked to Malta for winter training — and it’s easy to see why:

Reliable 10–18 knot northerlies

Perfect ILCA weather: tactical upwind legs and punchy downwind surfing.

Mild temperatures, even in January

While most of Europe is scraping ice off car windscreens, Malta is handing out T-shirt weather and turquoise water.

Clean racing waters

The racecourse off Ta’ Xbiex is famous for its steady breeze lines and open tactical lanes — ideal for fair starts and great fleet management.

Near-legendary hospitality at the Royal Malta Yacht Club

This is a club that knows how to host sailors: brilliant food, a waterfront bar, a terrace overlooking the harbour… and a social programme that never disappoints.

Three Days of Racing & Shore-Side Adventure

Racing:

January 9–11, 2026 Location: Royal Malta Yacht Club, Ta’ Xbiex, Valletta Harbour

Expect a three-day format:

Day 1 — Opening ceremony, boat check-in, warm-up race

Day 2 — Full race schedule + coaching debriefs

Day 3 — Final races + prize-giving on the terrace at sunset

The Royal Malta YC race team is renowned for running tight, fair, professional courses — and Masters sailors love nothing more than a race committee that keeps things sharp and honest.

A Holiday for the Sailors — And a Paradise for the Partners

Malta is a world-class tourist destination, and the club sits right beside:

Valletta’s UNESCO-listed old town

Waterfront cafés, bars, and restaurants

Historic forts and museums

Coastal walks and crystal-clear bays

Partners, families, and friends will have no trouble filling the day while the sailors battle it out on the racecourse.

A Big Start for an Even Bigger 2026 ILCA Masters Season

The Malta regatta is more than an opener — it’s the spark that ignites a season of racing across Europe. Expect:

Record participation

Faster fleets than ever before

More international entries

Bigger social events

And the strongest Masters community Europe has ever seen

If you’re an ILCA sailor who loves camaraderie, competition, and warm-water winter racing — Malta is the place to be this January.