Hurricane 5.9 SX European Championship at Eurocat, Carnac
All photography by David Maynard
1–3 May 2026 | Yacht Club de Carnac, France
The Hurricane 5.9 SX fleet headed across the Channel to Brittany to compete in the European Championship, hosted as part of the iconic Eurocat event at Yacht Club de Carnac. With eight teams making the journey, it was a competitive and close-fought regatta, supported by Wetsuit Outlet, alongside Nava Clothing and Optimum Time.
Day 1: Close Racing in Light Conditions
The regatta opened with classic Carnac conditions: sunshine and light but steady winds. Racing took place on a well-set trapezoid course alongside F18s, Nacra 20s, F16s and youth Nacra 15s, making for a busy and exciting racecourse.
Racing was tight from the start:
Race 1: Alex Farrall & Alex Warrington fought through shifting downwind conditions to take the win, ahead of Julian Reichert & Jeremy Sandford.
Race 2: Ben Harris & Tom Parkhurst found their rhythm to secure victory, with Farrall & Warrington close behind.
Race 3: As the breeze built and the tide came into play, Farrall & Warrington delivered again, navigating tricky reaches and mark congestion to claim another win.
After three races, it was clear the fleet was in for a competitive championship, with multiple teams showing strong pace.
Day 2: The Raide – Carnac’s Ultimate Test
Day two brought the legendary Raide, a 35km endurance race stretching from Carnac, along the Quiberon peninsula, around the Île d’Houat, and back.
What started with thunderstorms, heavy rain and unstable winds turned into a full-on test of skill and nerve. After delays ashore, the fleet launched into strengthening conditions, so strong that some teams opted not to start.
For those who did, it was unforgettable:
Big breeze, big seas and fully powered conditions
Tactical navigation through tidal gates (and the occasional missed one)
Fast, technical reaches with boats flying on the wire
Despite the chaos, Farrall & Warrington once again came out on top, followed by Reichert & Sandford and Adam Charlesworth & Richard Robinson.
Day 3: Decider in Building Breeze
The final day delivered lighter but shifty conditions, evolving into a solid breeze for the closing races.
Key highlights:
Race 5: Paul & Vicky Raven dominated in the lighter air
Strong performances from Reichert & Sandford and Harris & Parkhurst kept the podium battle alive
Final Results
After eight races, the results were:
Alex Farrall & Alex Warrington
Julian Reichert & Jeremy Sandford
Ben Harris & Tom Parkhurst
Farrall & Warrington delivered an outstanding performance, discarding just a single second-place finish to secure the European title.
A Standout Event
Eurocat once again proved why it’s one of Europe’s premier multihull events. From high-speed racing to long-distance challenges, the regatta delivered unforgettable moments both on and off the water.
Beyond the racing, what truly stood out was the spirit of the Hurricane fleet: competitive on the course, but united by camaraderie ashore.
A huge thank you goes to the organisers at Yacht Club de Carnac, the support teams and everyone involved in making the event a success.
And of course, we’re proud to have supported the fleet throughout the championship, and we look forward to seeing what the rest of the season brings.
