The 2026 Etchells Winter Series wrapped up in style on Biscayne Bay, concluding three months of tight, tactical racing with a picture-perfect US East Coast Midwinters finale. Forty-four teams competed across the four-event season, including 14 Corinthian entries, once again showcasing the remarkable depth and staying power of the Miami winter circuit.
Eight races were completed at Midwinters and the fleet delivered on its reputation for parity, with six different teams taking race wins over the three days.
Midwinters: Keen Competition and Well-Earned Victories
Series champion Jim Cunningham and his crew aboard Lifted (USA 1504) reflected on the finale:
“We couldn’t have asked for three better days of sailing on Biscayne Bay. Our PRO, Mark Foster, provided us with eight well-run races, and as usual, the competition was quite keen. We had six different teams win races, and I’d like to congratulate Jud Smith and his team on a great regatta and their well-deserved victory.”
While Jud Smith’s Fast Mermaid earned deserved praise for their Midwinters performance, it was Cunningham’s consistency throughout the season that secured him the overall Winter Series championship—his fourth Series title in the past five seasons.
Final Series Standings
The Winter Series scoring format—counting each team’s top two finishes from the first three events plus their Midwinters result—rewarded steady performance across a wide range of conditions. The final podium reflected both consistency and resilience:
- Lifted – Jim Cunningham – 4 points
- Cruel Jane – Luke Lawrence – 13 points
- Bayou Hustler – Austin Sperry – 14 points (tie)
- Raging Rooster – Peter Duncan – 14 points (tie)
- Encore – John Sommi – 16 points
Top Corinthian: Amateur Hour
Photo: Kathleen Tocke
Leading the Corinthian division—and finishing 12th overall—was Amateur Hour, sailed by the long-time partner team of Senet Bischoff and Benjamin Kinney. In a stacked fleet, their results continue to highlight both the competitiveness and inclusiveness that define the Etchells class.
“We on Amateur Hour love the Etchells because it is simply the best competition in the best boats. If we were hunting for pickle dishes, there are a lot of classes…but we want to learn from and compete against the best, and no other class comes close,” said Bischoff.
Bischoff and Kinney sailed with a mix of thirds this year, John Mastrandrea (right) in Midwinters and his brother Clay Bischoff and Jay Kehoe in prior series.
They have come a long way since their first placement of 43rd in the series, having finished 3rd and 4th overall at the Worlds in San Francisco in 2017 and Newport in 2024. Bischoff continues to balance work, family, and giving back to the sport. So it’s great to see the team hoist the perpetual Corinthian once again.
Fourteen Corinthian teams competed across the season, many finishing deep inside the top half of the fleet, underscoring the strength of amateur programs in the class.
A Season of Appreciation
Cunningham was quick to credit the broader Etchells community:
“The Biscayne Bay Yacht Club did a great job hosting the winter series again and we very much appreciate all the volunteers that made it all possible for us to enjoy the incredible competition and tight racing over the last three months.
Our PRO, Mark Foster, and his team did a wonderful job throughout the season getting the most out of the varied weather conditions we experienced.
I’m very thankful to my team of Steve, Erik, Serena and coach Dave as well as our tuning partners on team AMac for their commitment and hard work throughout the season. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed the intense competition and camaraderie on and off the water this season.”
A Special Moment Ashore
A highlight of the Midwinters awards ceremony was a surprise presentation to long-time Winter Series organizer Jeff Nehms, who received the Outstanding Service Award for his many years of dedication to the North American Etchells Class and Fleet 20.
For more than a decade, Nehms has quietly ensured that the Winter Series runs seamlessly—coordinating logistics, supporting competitors, and sustaining one of the class’s most important traditions. The standing ovation he received was heartfelt and well deserved.
With 44 teams, six Midwinters race winners, and another tightly fought championship decided over months of racing, the 2026 Winter Series reaffirmed why Biscayne Bay remains the winter proving ground for Etchells sailors worldwide.
More photos: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02Qnc1EMTwXvRWNjoKPhopU83gDaa6oCLyFDLkQ9DWyroKR7j1RzTEjW7mFKC6QRAkl&id=100068574583643
Videos of Races from Kathleen Tocke: