2026 Severn River Challenge

Tim Herzog and MATRA claimed the 2026 Severn River Challenge, taking first place from a semi-final stage cut short when the breeze deserted the Severn. Herzog set the tone in the round robin, posting 4 wins and 1 loss in a 17-knot southerly gusting to 28 over 0.94m seas — steady pressure that rewarded clean, committed sailing across the flights. Reid McLaughlin and Poodle with a Mohawk matched that 4-1 record, leaving the pair inseparable at the top. In the semi-finals, Herzog defeated John Sweeney and McLaughlin edged out Ashley Love, both series awarded on the round robin placings once racing could not continue. Herzog held the narrowest of margins over McLaughlin for the win. Love took third ahead of Sweeney, Dotty Holoubek and On golden pond finished fifth at 2-3, and Branden Spear closed the event 0-5. The racing is over; standings remain provisional.