Andre and Julia Won Offshore Double Handed Championship
Thomas Andre and Colombe Julia claimed victory after navigating the final 190-nautical-mile race in Marseille.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Equestrian
Thomas Andre and Colombe Julia secured the 2026 Offshore Double Handed World Championship after a grueling final race. The pair successfully navigated shifting winds to cross the finish line ahead of competitors Annie Stevenson and Peter Winter.
Why it matters
The victory highlights the strategic importance of tactical navigation in long-distance offshore racing, where conditions can fluctuate from high winds to calm waters. Success in such high-stakes events relies on the ability of teams to constantly adapt their approach to local terrain.
The final 190-nautical-mile course required teams to manage conditions ranging from 20-knot winds to near-flat calm. The competition was tightly contested, evidenced by an 8-second gap between third and fourth place.
The players
Thomas Andre
He is a professional sailor who secured the 2026 world title alongside his partner.
Colombe Julia
She is an elite sailor who served as co-skipper for the winning team at the world championship.
Annie Stevenson
She is a competitive sailor who finished in second place at the 2026 world event.
Peter Winter
He is an experienced mariner who claimed the runner-up position in the double handed competition.
Federico Waksman
He is an offshore sailor who competed in the championship and received a time penalty.
The details
Thomas Andre and Colombe Julia navigated toward the mainland shore to capture stronger breezes beneath the cliffs, switching roles between helm and crew throughout the event. While the leaders pulled ahead, Christine Walta and Simeon Tienpont finished in fourth place, narrowly ahead of the fifth-place team.
Timeline
The final race of the championship started on September 30, 2026, at 11:30.
The winning team crossed the finish line on October 2, 2026, at 12:20:26.
The next edition of the championship is scheduled for mid-October 2027.
Season Trajectory
The 2026 Offshore Double Handed World Championship marks the final major competitive milestone for this global circuit in the current year. This victory sets the performance standard as teams shift their focus toward qualifying for the upcoming 2027 event in Cannes.
The competitive results solidify the final rankings for the 2026 season, impacting the seedings for future international events. Tactical decisions made during the final race highlight the margin for error in elite sailing, where mere seconds determine the final podium standings.
The takeaway
This championship victory underscores the critical nature of tactical route selection and team synergy in offshore sailing. Future competitors can learn from the winning team's strategic use of coastal geography to manage fluctuating wind conditions.
What happens next
The next edition of the Offshore Double Handed World Championship is scheduled to occur in mid-October 2027 in Cannes, France.
Further reading
For more on international sailing and nautical events, check out our Equestrian section.
