2026 Shields National Championship Results and Recap
The 2026 Shields Class 62nd National Championship Regatta was held September 23–26 in Oxford, Maryland, hosted by the Tred Avon Yacht Club. Twenty-seven boats registered for the championship, and with a nor’easter rolling through the region, the Choptank River delivered plenty of wind and waves for a challenging and exciting weekend of racing.
For readers unfamiliar with the class, the Shields was first built in 1962 and was designed by Sparkman & Stephens. The beautiful, ~30-foot keelboat has a long history in one-design racing and continues to draw competitive fleets to its events.
Five races were completed over the championship, with each team able to drop its worst score.
Team Harrier (USA 235), led by Karl Anderson, took the championship with 6 net points. Harrier had an OCS in Race 3 which became their dropped score.
Team Ultimate Pressure II (USA 226), finished second with 9 net points. The team posted a consistent series, with all races in the top 3. Team Bit~O~Honey (237), finished just one point behind in third with 10 net points.
The Top-5 teams are listed below, but you can find the full results HERE. The event page on the Shields Class website can be found HERE.
Thank you to Will Keyworth for allowing us to use his photos. I also had the chance to catch up with Will about his experience at the event. He spoke highly of the Tred Avon Yacht Club, particularly the well-organized and enjoyable event, as well as the clear, effective emergency plan. You can find his full photo album HERE.
Top 5 Results:
- Team Harrier (USA 235) — 6 net points
- Team Ultimate Pressure II (USA 226) — 9 net points
- Team Bit~O~Honey (USA 237) — 10 net points
- Team Hawk (USA 245) — 18 net points
- Team Diversion (USA 160) — 22 net points
During the event, a competitor experienced a medical emergency and, unfortunately, passed away. Sail1Design extends our condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Shields Class community. Fair winds and following seas.
