2026 O’pen Skiff Eurochallenge: Three Stages, Four Champions

The 2026 O’pen Skiff Eurochallenge has concluded after three events across Italy, Germany and Hungary, crowning the top three girls and boys in both the U13 and U17 categories.

The circuit opened in Porto Rotondo, Sardinia, on 3–5 April, continued in Warnemünde on 6–8 July, and finished in Balatonmáriafürdő on 11–13 September. Across the series, the rankings featured 165 sailors: 63 in U13 and 102 in U17. Each sailor’s best two event results counted towards the overall standings, with one discard.

U13: Lizzulli and Kowalik take the titles

Italy’s Gabriele Lizzulli claimed the U13 boys’ title and first place overall with four points, combining third in Porto Rotondo with victory at the Hungarian finale. Poland’s Krzysztof Milej and Henryk Glaza completed the boys’ podium, both on five points, with Milej taking second in the published standings after winning in Warnemünde.

Poland’s Roza Kowalik secured the U13 girls’ title with nine points, finishing an impressive fifth overall. Germany’s Elisa Laukat took silver with 22 points, while compatriot Helena Mila Stevanovic earned bronze with 42 points.

Place U13 boys Country Net points
1 Gabriele Lizzulli Italy 4
2 Krzysztof Milej Poland 5
3 Henryk Glaza Poland 5

 

Place U13 girls Country Net points
1 Roza Kowalik Poland 9
2 Elisa Laukat Germany 22
3 Helena Mila Stevanovic Germany 42

U17: Sitko and Szczepa lead the way

Poland’s Pawel Sitko won the U17 boys’ title and the overall U17 classification with a perfect counting score of two points, following back-to-back victories in Warnemünde and Balatonmáriafürdő. Zahaan Hemrajani of the USA took boys’ silver with six points, counting third-place finishes at both events. India’s Rehaan Dar completed the podium with ten points.

Paulina Szczepa made it a Polish double in U17, claiming the girls’ title and second overall with six points. Her second place in Porto Rotondo and fourth in Hungary secured the series win. Fellow Polish sailor Helena Radziwon took silver with ten points, helped by second overall at the final stage, while Germany’s Mila Weniger won bronze with 15 points.

Place U17 boys Country Net points
1 Pawel Sitko Poland 2
2 Zahaan Hemrajani USA 6
3 Rehaan Dar India 10

 

Place U17 girls Country Net points
1 Paulina Szczepa Poland 6
2 Helena Radziwon Poland 10
3 Mila Weniger Germany 15

Poland finished the circuit with three of the four category titles and six of the twelve podium places. Sailors from Italy, Germany, the USA and India joined them among the medallists, reflecting the international reach of the Eurochallenge.

Congratulations to all sailors who took part, and especially to our four champions and twelve podium finishers. Thank you to the host clubs, organisers, race officials, coaches and families who supported the circuit across all three venues.

Event website: https://eurochallenge2026.openskiffclass.org/