Gdynia Sailing Days 2025: Micro Class to Launch Premier Baltic Regatta Festival

From July 7th to 12th, Gdynia will take center stage on the international sailing calendar as it hosts the Micro Class World Championship, opening the 26th edition of Gdynia Sailing Days. This annual maritime festival has become a cornerstone event for competitive sailing in Central and Eastern Europe, and in 2025 it sets sail with one of its most exciting classes.

Kamil Kusier executive editor 04.07.2025, 13:30 Reading time: 2 min

Three men in sunglasses sail a racing yacht heeled over the water — fot. Robert Hajduk / PZŻ

In brief

The Micro class World Championship from 7 to 12 July will open the 26th edition of Gdynia Sailing Days, whose programme runs until 27 July. Micro class yachts measure 5.5 metres, and the class, created in 1977, is divided into the Proto, Racer and Cruiser divisions. Poland has won 62 world championship medals in the Micro class, and eleven-time world champion Piotr Tarnacki will compete in Gdynia with the 77 Racing team. The official opening of the regatta is scheduled for Tuesday, 8 July, together with the first races of the Youth Sailing League.

Micro Class – Small Boats, Serious Competition

First established in France in 1977, the Micro Class was conceived as an accessible, fair format for offshore cabin yachts. With a maximum hull length of 5.5 meters and three competitive divisions (Proto, Racer, Cruiser), the class has grown into a global circuit offering intense, technically demanding racing at a fraction of the cost of high-end yacht campaigns.

All boats race simultaneously, creating a vibrant and tightly packed fleet that delivers both on-the-water drama and compelling visuals for spectators and media. It’s this blend of spectacle and sporting depth that has earned the Micro Class its loyal international following.

Poland Among the World’s Best

With 62 World Championship medals to date, Poland ranks among the elite nations in Micro Class sailing. At the heart of this success is Piotr Tarnacki, a dominant figure in the class and skipper of Team 77 Racing. Tarnacki is the most decorated sailor in Micro history, holding eleven world titles.

– I expect the Polish fleet to be in medal contention once again. Gdynia always brings out the best in us, says Tarnacki, a local hero and global ambassador for the class.

Opening Act of a Broader Festival

While measurement checks and practice sessions are scheduled for July 7th, the official opening ceremony of both the World Championship and the broader Gdynia Sailing Days 2025 will take place on Tuesday, July 8th. Racing will continue through July 12th.

Concurrently, the Youth Sailing League will also begin its second round of the season. After an initial event in Sopot earlier this spring, young sailors from across Poland will reconvene in Gdynia for races scheduled on July 9th and 10th, preceded by team training on Monday.

Beyond the Regattas

Gdynia Sailing Days is more than a regatta series – it is a full-scale maritime celebration. Over the three-week program (July 7–27), the city will host open-air activities, industry panels, sailing workshops, and public outreach events designed to promote marine culture and youth engagement in sailing.

By launching the festival with the Micro Class – a symbol of grassroots excellence and international camaraderie – Gdynia reaffirms its place not only as a regatta host, but as a true maritime capital.

Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier