Lithuanian teams complete 2026 ORC Europeans rehearsal in Klaipėda

With one week remaining until the 2026 ORC European Championship in Klaipėda, Lithuania's leading offshore teams have completed their final competitive rehearsal at the ORC Prologue Race Klaipėda on July 25-26, held as part of the 59th Curonian Lagoon Regatta.

The two-day event replicated the championship format, combining windward-leeward racing with an offshore coastal race and giving home crews a valuable opportunity to fine-tune their boats, test new equipment and gain further experience on the championship waters.

For Lithuanian sailors, hosting an ORC European Championship on home waters is a unique occasion.

"Usually we have to spend nearly a week travelling to an ORC championship somewhere else in Europe," said Arūnas Burkšas, skipper of X-35 Nida III. "Now the championship is coming to Klaipėda. Everyone is sharpening their skills, but we're also proud that the Lithuanian fleet has become stronger with several new competitive boats joining the championship."

New boats add extra intrigue

Several Lithuanian teams used the Prologue to debut newly acquired yachts ahead of the Europeans.

Among the biggest talking points was Arabela-Citadele, skippered by Raimondas Šiugždinis, which raced its brand-new M.A.T. 11 for the first time. The design has already attracted international attention after winning this year's ORC World Championship in Sorrento, Italy.

"It feels like a very fast boat, but now we have to get to know her," said Šiugždinis. "We need to understand the sail settings, optimise the trim and learn how she behaves. Like students before an exam, we wish we had one more night to prepare–we only hoisted all our sails for the first time today."

Another home contender, Keturi Vėjai, also arrived with a new campaign, switching to an X-41, one of the most successful designs in recent ORC competition.

"The Prologue was exactly what we needed," said skipper Karolis Janulionis. "Our new X-41 is still new to us, so every minute on the water is incredibly valuable. The European Championship is almost here, and this was excellent preparation both in the windward-leeward races and in the offshore race."

Of course, Lithuania's new arrivals will not have the spotlight to themselves during the ORC Europeans. They will be joined by some of Europe's strongest international campaigns, adding another layer of sporting intrigue to the championship. Denmark's Stony X, skippered by Steen Toftebjerg, will also campaign one of the new-generation M.A.T. 11 yachts, setting up an exciting duel between two of the most talked-about new designs in offshore racing. Meanwhile, the X-41 fleet promises equally intense competition, with five X-41s entered for the championship, making it one of the strongest one-design battles within the ORC fleet.

Valuable championship preparation

Saturday's program of the Prologue Race consisted of three windward-leeward races, while Sunday's offshore race gave crews another opportunity to familiarise themselves with the approaches to Klaipėda Harbour and the local sailing conditions.

"What we've learned over these two days definitely gives us a better chance at the Europeans," said Saulius Pajarskas, skipper of Italia 11.98 Rhino. "Even sailing through the harbour channel, there are many small details that become easier once you've done it before. Every training session on these waters is valuable."

The offshore races at the ORC Europeans will begin from the same location, where a well-executed start and a good understanding of the local currents, wind patterns and harbour dynamics can make a significant difference before the fleet reaches the Baltic Sea.