ISSWC Sweden 2026 - Update 1
Ice Sailing World Championships on Lake Mälaren
A world championship of a different kind is currently taking place in Sweden. At the Ice and Snow Sailing World Championships (ISSWC), all the action takes place on frozen water. The World Ice and Snow Sailing Association (WISSA) is the governing body for these sports.
95 participants from 12 countries have traveled to Västerås to compete in races on Lake Mälaren. This year’s field of participants spans a wide age range. The youngest participant is just 10 years old, while the oldest is 72.
Although the focus of this competition is on having fun, the long-term goal of the World Ice and Snow Sailing Association is to have the sport included in the Winter Olympics program.
But for now, the focus is on the competition in Sweden, which runs from Tuesday through Saturday. The event schedule includes circuit races, sprints, and a marathon.
The Ice Sailing World Championships in Sweden bring back fond memories of my early years in windsurfing. People who couldn’t be more different come together to celebrate their sport.
Of course, the battle for points continues on the regatta course, and so Tuesday’s schedule focused primarily on kitesurfing races. The light but steady wind allowed for six course races.
Using wings and windsurf sails, two qualifying rounds of short track slalom were completed before the wind died down. This determined the starting order for the final series over the next few days.
The competitions on the frozen Lake Mälaren will continue through Saturday.
February 18, 2026 © WING DAILY | text: Christian Tillmanns, ISSWC / Marina Psychogyiou | photos/graphics: ISSWC / Richard Ström | translation: DE