Kinki-Hokuriku Intercollegiate Championship

Yanagasaki, Japan, July 5, 2026. On July 5, the final day of the “2026 Kinki-Hokuriku Intercollegiate Individual Yacht Championship” was held at the Yanagasaki Yacht Harbor on Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture. Over the course of two days, four races were held for the Snipe Class (source: Hana Fujiwara, Bulkhead Magazine).

In the Snipe class, Haruhito Torigoe / Shutaro Yamada (Kyoto University) turned the tables in the final race, rising from yesterday’s 4th place overall to clinch the championship by a narrow 1-point margin over second place.

The top six teams from this regatta will advance to the All-Japan Intercollegiate Individual Championship, to be held from October 9 to 11 at the Shin-Nishinomiya Yacht Harbor in Hyogo Prefecture.

Snipe class champions, Torigoe and Yamada. This marks back-to-back victories for Yamada. “We viewed winning the qualifiers as just a stepping stone, so I’m really happy. This year, our goal is a top-three overall finish in the All-Japan Intercollegiate Team Championship. I want to approach the individual races with the team championship in mind,” said Torigoe. “We managed to correct our mistakes from a disadvantageous position this time and secure consistent finishes. Last year, due to an injury, I couldn’t compete in the All-Japan Championship with my senior (Ryotaro Suzuki, Kyoto University graduate). I really wanted to return the championship trophy that my senior brought back, so I’m thrilled that we qualified,” added Yamada (photo, right).

Final results after 4 races:

1. Haruhito Torigoe & Shutaro Yamada, 15
2. Yusei Sakamaki & Kosei Hanamure, 16
3. Hayato Maezono & Hiroto Fujioka, 21
4. Kanato Matsunaga & Haruhiko Myomi, 25
5. Nana Matsuzawa & Atoki Hora, 26
6. Shizuka Nishikawa & Natsu Kanazawa, 27