With over 15 nations represented, the rapidly expanding X-15 fleet unites riders of all levels in one-design racing defined by skill, progression, and fair competition.
Portimão, Portugal, May 2026— 115 riders are registered for the 2026 Portimão X-15 Wingfoil Series, taking place from May 24 to May 26, and hosted by Clube Naval de Portimão, marking a major milestone for the rapidly growing class.
The event will bring together riders of all levels, from Under 13 competitors through to senior divisions, reflecting the core objective of X-15 to make wingfoil racing accessible to everyone. Designed with inclusivity at its foundation, the format allows anyone who can gybe to enter, while qualifying rounds will split the fleet into appropriate divisions to ensure fair and competitive racing across all abilities. More experienced riders will compete on advanced race courses tailored to higher performance racing.
At the heart of the class is a true one design format. All competitors race on the same equipment, ensuring that results are determined by athletic ability, racecraft, and decision making on the water rather than technological advantage. This creates closer, more exciting racing across the fleet.
The Portimão event is part of a wider surge in global growth for the X-15 Class. The 2026 season began with its first race of the year in Langkawi, Malaysia. In March, the America One Racing Foiling Tour launched in the United States, alongside the development of a dedicated racing team preparing for the first X-15 World Championships in 2026.
In Europe, the UK Performance Academy has introduced a structured X-15 training programme, while new events and development programmes are being established in Brazil, Italy, Canada, Singapore, and beyond. This expansion highlights the increasing global adoption of the class and the demand for a more accessible pathway into wingfoil racing.
A key focus for 2026 is increasing female participation. As part of this effort, the event will host its first Women into Wing camp, led by Starboard Team Rider, Alice Read. The initiative is designed to support women entering the sport through female led coaching, helping to build confidence, develop skills, and reduce barriers to entry.
With strong international momentum and a growing global community, the X-15 Wingfoil Class continues to set a new standard for the sport, combining accessibility, inclusivity, and high performance racing in one unified format.
If you are interested in starting an X-15 training program, squad, or racing event locally, please reach out to ava@star-board.com.
About the X-15 Class
The X-15 Class is a one-design World Sailing wingfoil class. However, unlike traditional one-design sailing classes, the X-15 is built around a forward-thinking strategy: to evolve in sync with advancements in foiling technology. While maintaining standardized equipment to ensure fairness and accessibility, the Class will see gear updates approximately every two years in line with the updated Class Rules, allowing athletes to benefit from new developments.
Website: https://x-15class.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
Contact: ava@star-board.com
