All Japan Nationals – Day 2

Shinminato Marina, August 7, 2026. Results after 6 races:

1. Tsukasa Suzuki & Yasushi Kondo, 69
2. Taro Kikkawa & Yuma Ida, 71
3. Masakazu Sasai & Kazuo Ito, 79
4. Takuro Kumano & Yuta Kunimi, 92
5. Akira Koga & Yo Koga, 98

Photos: Junichi Hirai / Bulkhead Magazine

In Toyama Bay, extremely hot midsummer days have continued day after day. A total of six races have been completed by the second day of the regatta. Under the strong sunlight and intense heat, signs of fatigue are beginning to show among the sailors. A maximum of nine races are scheduled for this championship.

Both the first and second days saw stable, light winds, allowing a total of six races to be completed. At the end of the first half of the regatta, last year’s winning skipper Yasushi Kondo and crew Keishi Suzuki lead the fleet. In conditions where boat speed differences were minimal and maintaining consistent results was challenging, they put on an impressive performance, securing first place in three out of the six races.

Shotaro Kikkawa / Yuma Ida are currently in second place, followed by Masakazu Sasai / Kazuhisa Ito in third. Furthermore, once seven or more races are completed, each boat’s worst score will be discarded (dropped), which is expected to bring last year’s runners-up, Tetsuo Watanabe / Koji Saito, back into contention for the top spots.

With the entire fleet locked in a fierce battle, the Snipe All-Japan Championship moves into its second half starting tomorrow. (Source Bulkhead Magazine).