The Klaipėda ORC European Championship 2026, taking place in Lithuania for the first time this August, is aiming to achieve the highest Platinum certification under the internationally recognised Clean Regattas sustainability programme. By meeting nearly 20 sustainability requirements developed specifically for sailing events, the championship hopes to set a new benchmark for offshore sailing events across the Baltic region.
"Some of the world's most prestigious regattas, including the America's Cup and the World Sailing Youth World Championships, have achieved Platinum certification. In more than a decade, only around 200 sailing events worldwide have earned this recognition. To the best of our knowledge, if we achieve Platinum certification, the Klaipėda ORC Europeans 2026 will become the first offshore sailing event in the Baltic countries to do so," says Raimundas Daubaras, President of the Lithuanian Yachting Union.
According to Daubaras, sustainability has always been a natural part of sailing culture.
"For sailors, the sea is much more than a racecourse – it is our second home. That is why we feel responsible for protecting it. Sustainability initiatives have already become an integral part of Lithuanian sailing events, and this championship gives us an opportunity to take that commitment to a new level."
A championship designed with sustainability in mind
Achieving Platinum certification requires organisers to comply with a comprehensive set of sustainability standards covering not only event operations, but also competitors, suppliers and visitors.
"Some measures require preparation well in advance. For example, we aim to eliminate single-use plastic water bottles throughout the event by providing water refill stations and encouraging both competitors and visitors to bring reusable bottles. These are practical steps that can make a real difference. We hope this championship will inspire more regattas across the Baltic region to adopt the Clean Regattas principles," Daubaras adds.
To meet the Platinum criteria, food and beverages will be served without single-use plastics wherever possible, digital documentation will replace printed materials, and comprehensive waste separation and recycling systems will be implemented throughout the venue.
Community engagement is another key element of the Clean Regattas programme. Throughout the championship, a dedicated volunteer Green Team will promote sustainable practices, while the Regatta Village will host educational activities for children and families. Food vendors will also be encouraged to offer menus aligned with the event's sustainability standards.
Inspiring action through education
The Lithuanian Sea Museum will play an important role in the sustainability programme by presenting the virtual reality experience "Future Baltic: Dystopia or Reality?", inviting visitors to reflect on the future of the Baltic Sea.
"We wanted people not only to see the Baltic Sea, but to truly immerse themselves in it and experience the consequences of inaction. The film is a silent call from beneath the surface—a reminder that protecting the sea begins with the choices we make today," says filmmaker Vilius Petrauskas, creator of the internationally acclaimed virtual reality experience Trail of Angels.
More than world-class sailing
The Klaipėda ORC European Championship 2026 will take place from 7 to 15 August, marking the first time Lithuania has hosted a championship of this level in offshore sailing.
Throughout the week, the Regatta Village at the Klaipėda Cruise Ship Terminal will be open to the public, inviting visitors to discover the world of wind and sea through interactive activities, educational experiences, live entertainment, local flavours, and a vibrant maritime atmosphere.
The Klaipeda ORC European Championship 2026 is organised by the Lithuanian Yachting Union (LYU), under the authority of the Lithuanian Yachting Union (LYU) and under the overall authority of the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC).