A Championship with Everything
Wind, calm, thunderstorms, sunshine and the true Hobie Way of Life
Maubuisson, France – The 2026 Hobie Multi Europeans for the Hobie Cat 14 and Hobie Cat 16 fleets in Maubuisson had everything a Hobie championship could ask for: wind, calm, thunderstorms, sunshine, challenging racing, great parties and sailors from 16 nations coming together for an unforgettable week.
The international field reached far beyond Europe, with sailors travelling from Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Tahiti to join competitors from across the continent.
The four racing days could hardly have been more different. From beautiful summer conditions and 14–18 knot breezes to shifting winds, complete calm, severe thunderstorms and rapidly changing conditions on the final day, Maubuisson showed every side of its character.
And as always at a Hobie event, the championship was about much more than racing.
It was about friendship, competition, travelling, meeting sailors from around the world and celebrating together – the unmistakable Hobie Way of Life.
Day 1 – A Perfect Start to the Europeans
The Hobie Cat 14 and Hobie Cat 16 Open fleets, with the HC16 divided into Gold and Silver Fleets, got their European Championship underway in beautiful summer conditions.
Bright sunshine, warm temperatures and a moderate but constantly shifting breeze of around 14–18 knots provided excellent racing conditions.
The sailors made the most of the breeze, with all four scheduled races successfully completed in each class.
The changing wind direction kept the fleets on their toes throughout the day. Tactical decisions were just as important as boat speed, and the first results immediately showed how competitive the international fleets would be.
After a successful opening day on the water, the Hobie community continued the action ashore.
In the evening, sailors were invited to the 2027 Worlds Drinks, where free beer and wine were served while the upcoming Hobie Cat 14 and Hobie Cat 16 World Championships were presented.
The 2027 Worlds will take place at La Ballena Alegre on the Costa Brava in Spain, bringing the international Hobie family together once again for one of the biggest events on the Hobie calendar.
It was a perfect first day – both on and off the water.
Day 2 – When the Wind Disappears
The second day brought a completely different challenge.
The wind became extremely shifty, with some areas of the race course still offering reasonable pressure while other parts of the lake suddenly went completely calm.
The HC14 fleet managed to complete all four scheduled races, while the HC16 Gold and Silver Fleets completed three races.
The fourth race had to be abandoned as the wind eventually disappeared completely.
But there was no time – and certainly no reason – for frustration.
This is where the Hobie Way of Life really came into its own.
Back on shore, the sailors were welcomed onto the club terrace for a special wine tasting hosted by a local wine merchant, featuring regional Bordeaux red wines.
After a challenging day on the water, sailors from different nations came together, shared stories from the race course and enjoyed the evening together.
Competitive on the water. Friends ashore.
That is the Hobie Way of Life.
Day 3 – Waiting for the Wind
Following a severe thunderstorm during the night, the weather changed once again.
Day three became a day of patience.
Around midday, the sailors headed out to the race course full of optimism and ready to get back into action. But despite waiting for more than an hour on the water, the breeze simply refused to establish itself.
The PRO eventually made the decision to bring the racing day to an end in the afternoon.
Zero races were completed in any of the fleets.
Although nobody wants to lose a championship day to a lack of wind, it was the right decision. Safety and fair racing always come first.
And once again, there was no shortage of Hobie spirit on shore.
That evening, the sailors were invited to the European Championship Dinner, hosted by the club. A generous buffet and grill station provided plenty of food before the evening continued with a party – exactly the kind of celebration Hobie sailors are known for.
A day without racing turned into another memorable evening together.
Because the Hobie Way of Life does not stop when the wind does.
Day 4 – Four Seasons in One Day
Another severe thunderstorm passed through Maubuisson during the following night.
By the morning, the weather had changed dramatically once again.
Temperatures had dropped significantly and the wind had strengthened. With the championship still to be decided, the Race Committee made the decision to start early in an effort to complete the planned four races in each fleet.
What followed was one of the most unpredictable racing days of the championship.
The weather seemed to change by the minute:
Rain. Wind. Sunshine. Calm. Thunderstorms. Rainbows. And then back again.
The sailors had to constantly adapt to the conditions, while the Race Committee worked hard to make the most of every available racing opportunity.
Despite the difficult weather, the fleets fought hard until the very end.
After four days of racing, the European Champions of 2026 were finally decided.
2026 Hobie Multi Europeans – Final Results
HC16 Open – Gold Fleet
🥇 Cam Owen / Sus Ghent 🇦🇺
🥈 Bjornholt / Abratis 🇩🇰
🥉 Kitsmüller / Kitzmüller 🇦🇹
Three in a Row for Australia!
Cam Owen and Sus Ghent have done it again!
The Australian team has won the Hobie Cat 16 European Championship for the third consecutive time.
After winning the title in the previous two editions, Owen and Ghent returned to Maubuisson with the goal of defending their European crown – and once again delivered an outstanding performance.
The conditions in Maubuisson could hardly have been more challenging. The championship included shifting 14–18 knot breezes, disappearing wind, thunderstorms and a final day of rapidly changing conditions.
Yet the Australian team remained at the front of the fleet and secured another European title.
Three consecutive European Championships.
That is an exceptional achievement and a remarkable demonstration of consistency, experience and teamwork.
Congratulations to Cam Owen & Sus Ghent – Australia!
HC16 Open – Silver Fleet
🥇 Azzi / Cornu 🇫🇷
🥈 Dal Fabbro / Katz Cohen 🇫🇷
🥉 Surcouf / Forbes 🇯🇪
A strong performance from the French teams saw Azzi / Cornu take the Silver Fleet title, followed by Dal Fabbro / Katz Cohen.
The podium was completed by Surcouf / Forbes from Jersey.
HC14
🥇 Arnaud Thieme 🇫🇷
🥈 Lauritz Bockelmann 🇩🇪
🥉 André Hauschke 🇩🇪
France took the HC14 European title with Arnaud Thieme, while Germany secured both second and third place with Lauritz Bockelmann and André Hauschke.
Congratulations to all HC14 sailors for a hard-fought championship in highly variable conditions.
EuroCup – Dinsdale Trophy Final
The Hobie Multi Europeans were not only a European Championship, but also the third and final event of the 2026 EuroCup – Dinsdale Trophy.
The final HC14 EuroCup – Dinsdale Trophy standings were:
🥇 Dan Borg 🇨🇦
🥈 Arnaud Thieme 🇫🇷
🥉 Thorin Zeilmarker 🇳🇱
Congratulations to all EuroCup competitors and especially to the overall podium.
A special recognition goes to the five sailors who successfully competed at all three EuroCup events:
- Daniela Gross – ITA
- Franco Bove – ITA
- Dan Borg – CAN
- Thorin Zeilmarker – NED
- Rolf Neu – GER
Their commitment throughout the entire EuroCup season deserves special recognition.
More Than a Championship – The Hobie Way of Life
Looking back at the four days in Maubuisson, the results are only one part of the story.
The sailors experienced everything from perfect sailing conditions to frustrating periods of waiting. They raced against each other, helped each other, shared meals and drinks, celebrated together and welcomed sailors from 16 different nations into one international community.
That is what makes a Hobie championship different.
The Hobie Way of Life is about sailing fast and competing hard, but it is also about friendship, openness, travelling, discovering new places and creating memories together.
It is about sharing a glass of wine after a difficult day on the water.
It is about celebrating together when the wind disappears.
It is about welcoming sailors from the other side of the world.
And it is about coming back year after year because the people you meet along the way become part of the Hobie family.
Whether there is 18 knots of wind, no wind at all, rain, sunshine or a thunderstorm on the horizon – the Hobie community finds a way to enjoy it together.
The racing may be competitive. The community is one.
That is the Hobie Way of Life.
Find all pictures on our official EHCA Flickr account
Thank You, Maubuisson!
A huge thank you goes to the Cercle de la Voile de Bordeaux – Carcans Maubuisson for welcoming the Hobie family and hosting the 2026 Hobie Multi Europeans.
The club and its entire team provided the perfect setting for an international Hobie championship and ensured that the sailors enjoyed not only excellent racing, but also the social atmosphere that is such an important part of every Hobie event.
To all the sailors from the 16 nations who travelled to Maubuisson – from across Europe and from Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Tahiti – thank you for being part of this year’s Europeans.
Thank you for the fantastic racing, the sportsmanship, the laughter, the parties and the great atmosphere both on and off the water.
And thank you for bringing the Hobie Way of Life to Maubuisson.
We wish everyone a safe journey home.
Next Stop: La Ballena Alegre, Costa Brava
The 2026 Hobie Multi Europeans may be over, but the next big adventure is already waiting.
In 2027, the international Hobie family will return to La Ballena Alegre on the Costa Brava in Spain for the Hobie Cat 14 World Championship, Hobie Cat 16 World Championship and Hobie Dragoon International Cup.
The 2027 World Championships will bring sailors from Europe and from all over the world together once again for another major celebration of Hobie sailing.
After an incredible week in Maubuisson, the next destination is already set.
We look forward to welcoming the entire international Hobie family to Spain.
Until then:
Fair winds, safe travels and see you on the water!