Entry Open for the ORC Europeans 2026: Discover the Unprecedented Venue at the City Center of Klaipėda, Lithuania

The Notice of Race for the ORC Europeans 2026 has been published, and the registration has begun at Manage2sail platform. The event will be hosted on August 7-15 by a Lithuanian seaside jewel Klaipėda, which offers a vibrant city life just next to the centrally located marina, convenient logistics for competitors from various European countries and new open waters for intense offshore racing. With an increase of 5% issued ORC certificates in 2025, the ORC Europeans expects to gather up to 70 teams for competitive racing.

“We are happy to announce that the registration for ORC Europeans 2026 is open, and we are looking forward to welcoming all the teams for the combination of competitive racing and the joys of modern city life in Klaipėda. The city is centrally located, so it will be convenient to reach from most of the European countries by water, air or ground. If anyone had any questions about the location and logistics, we are more than happy to address that. Don’t miss a chance to be the part of one of the most captivating offshore sailing events this summer. We are certain that Klaipėda will become a new favorite place on the nautical charts for the participants and visitors alike”, – says Mantas Klimantavičius, head of the organization.

Klaipėda is situated only a few hundred nautical miles from such cities as Kiel (400 nm), Copenhagen (320 nm), Stockholm (250 nm), Helsinki (330 nm), Tallinn (300 nm). It also is easily accessible via nearby airports in Palanga, Vilnius, Kaunas or Riga or by direct ferry lines from Kiel, Karlshamn, Trelleborg.

The venue has an exceptional advantage of having the yacht club in the central part of the city. Klaipėda is a beautiful historical maritime town established in 1252 and the boats will be mooring in the historical part of it, which offers exceptional atmosphere and the vibrancy of modern city life just around the corner.

“The fact that next year’s European ORC Championship will take place in Klaipėda is a significant recognition not only for our city but for the whole of Lithuania. It is an exceptional opportunity to showcase our maritime potential to the entire continent and to further strengthen Klaipėda’s position on the international sailing map. We are ready to welcome the strongest sailing teams in the very heart of the city – a unique space where maritime history, culture, and contemporary urban life come together. We are already undertaking targeted preparations for the championship and eagerly look forward to the teams, who will find in our city not only excellent conditions for competition but also a welcoming city open to the sea” – says the Mayor of Klaipėda Arvydas Vaitkus.

Although Klaipėda might be new to many ORC sailors, the city already has substantial experience in hosting important sailing events. In 2021 it was the venue of the Ocean Race Europe Prologue and gathered the famous VO65 yachts and their teams for an In-Port Race and the start of the first leg. It also was the “Tall Ship Race” host city in 2017, 2021 and 2024.

As the number of boats that were issued ORC certificates has risen by 5% in 2025, Klaipėda expects to welcome up to 70 teams for the European championship. The waters around Lithuania are safe to sail, with no underwater rocks or other obstacles, offering open waters for high quality offshore racing.

The organizing team is already gathering an experienced international team of the race officials with the Eckart Reinke (GER) in the forefront as a Principal race officer and such professionals as Madis Ausman (EST), Zoran Grubisa (CRO), Ari Peltomaki (FIN) already in the team.

The event will take place on August 7-15, Klaipėda, Lithuania. The registration is open on Manage2sail. More information about the venue and the championship can be found the event website and Facebook page.