Trinidad and Tobago’s Shannon Madar and Jaidon Vincent are making their debut in the Vision Impairment fleet as the 2026 World Sailing Inclusion Championships approach their final day in Portimão, Portugal.
The pair are among the new faces at a championship bringing together 222 athletes from 40 nations across nine events. Racing has highlighted close competition and the growing international reach of inclusive sailing.
Tight battles across the fleets
In the Para Inclusive Two Person Keelboat event sailed in RS Venture Connect boats, Sweden’s Fia Fjelddahl and Patric Rosenberg finished Thursday level on points with Spain’s Pau Toni Homar and Ramón Gutiérrez. Three teams were tied for third.
Germany’s Jens Kroker led the Para Inclusive One Person Keelboat fleet in the Hansa 303, with Poland’s Piotr Cichocki moving into second after two race wins. In the Para Inclusive One Person Multihull event, Britain’s James Coxon remained at the top after ten races.
Thursday’s conditions were unsuitable for racing in the Inclusive Two Person Keelboat and Inclusive Wingfoil events.
A wider pathway into sailing
The event combines high-performance racing with opportunities for athletes and emerging sailing nations to develop skills and experience. The Vision Impairment fleet, sailed in RS21 keelboats, is one of the formats helping broaden participation internationally.
The 2026 World Sailing Inclusion Championships conclude on Saturday, 10 October, in Portimão.
Photo: World Sailing / Vela Solidária.
Source: World Sailing — https://www.sailing.org/2026/10/08/mashing-up-the-glass-ceiling-at-the-world-sailing-inclusion-championships/
