EUROSAF First 18 SE: Showdown at Lake Attersee

The European racing circuit shifts into high gear as the Union-Yacht-Club Attersee in Austria prepares to host a competitive international fleet for the 2026 EUROSAF Beneteau First 18 SE European Championship.

Lake Attersee is taking center stage in the international sailing diary. From June 3rd to 7th, 2026, the Austrian venue welcomes the highly competitive EUROSAF Beneteau First 18 SE European Championship. In doing so, the host club, Union-Yacht-Club Attersee (UYCAs), firmly cements its reputation as a premier venue for top-tier regattas and a central hub for the European racing community.

Anticipation is high, with 32 entries from five nations already locked in. This strong international turnout guarantees a highly competitive fleet and tight action at the start line, promising spectacular racing conditions on the water.

The Beneteau First 18 SE has established itself as a dynamic, modern one-design sportsboat, built for tactical precision, responsiveness, and pure speed. Sporting a 5.6-meter hull, a lifting keel, twin rudders, and a performance-oriented rig, it delivers high-performance racing without sacrificing pure sailing fun—a mix that appeals equally to seasoned professional crews and ambitious amateurs.

On the water, all eyes will be on the front-runners. The team to beat is undoubtedly the Slovenian crew led by Jure Jerkovič and skipper Blaž Kmetec, who arrive in Austria looking to defend the European title they claimed last year in Portorož.