Tasar World Championship 2026 in Okinawa, Japan – Day 4
by Tasar Worlds Committee 10 Jun 07:17 PDT
4–12 June 2026
The Tasar World Championship 2026, being held from Okuma Private Beach & Resort in Kunigami Village, Okinawa, resumed racing on Day 4 after a three-day interruption.
With racing having been lost earlier in the week due to strong winds and a tsunami advisory, the Race Committee scheduled four races to make up lost time. Competitors were rewarded with a challenging and memorable day on the water.
Conditions were markedly different from those experienced earlier in the regatta, with a northerly breeze replacing the previous southerly winds. Rain began during the first race of the day and continued without respite. At times, the downpours were so intense that visibility across the racecourse was significantly reduced.
Despite the difficult weather, the Race Committee successfully completed all four scheduled races, bringing the regatta total to seven races. This triggered the first discard, allowing competitors to exclude their one worst scores from the standings. As a result, the overall leaderboard saw significant changes throughout the fleet.
At the top of the standings, Jonathan and Libby Johnson-McKee (USA) maintained their overall lead. Olympic gold medallist Jonathan McKee once again demonstrated remarkable consistency in the challenging conditions, strengthening the pair’s position as they head into the final stages of the championship.
Among the home teams, Kazuishi Ito and Yasuaki Sato (JPN) produced an impressive performance to move up to third overall. Their rise into the podium positions has given the local contingent renewed optimism as the regatta enters its closing phase.
The championship’s oldest competitor, 81-year-old Jan Kellermann Slothouwer (NED), summed up the day with a smile after returning ashore: “It was a very tough day. I’m very tired.” His determination and enthusiasm earned admiration from fellow competitors and officials alike.
With the championship now entering its final stretch, the battle for the world title remains intense. Sailors from around the globe continue to showcase their skill and resilience on the waters of Okinawa as the regatta approaches its conclusion.
tasarworlds2026.com
AloJapan.com