The first teams of the 2026 World Championship of Adventure Racing arrived in L'Île-Rousse later than expected, finishing on Wednesday afternoon instead of during the night. At 2:45 p.m. and 22 seconds, the Estonian team Ace La Sportiva completed the race by exiting their packrafts on the beach and crossing the finish line together. The team—comprising Rain Eensaar, Reeda Tuula-Fjodorov, Timmo Tammenae, and Tauno Riiback—became world champions after more than 125 hours of continuous racing. This victory was a major milestone for Estonia, as the team had previously finished as runners-up in the world rankings and had earned double world vice-championship titles. This marked their first world title in nine championship participations. The final stage of the race proved more challenging than anticipated due to heavy rains and storms that hit Corsica. These weather conditions slowed competitors and forced organizers to alter parts of the course. Nancy Buhaud, co-director of the event, stated that the bad weather made the environment more difficult, slippery, and dangerous, requiring greater caution from participants. While the leading teams experienced delays, the impact was more severe for those trailing behind the top six or seven teams. Some sections of the race were neutralized, with activities such as sea kayaking in the calanques of Piana canceled. Organizers were also unable to maintain all the planned rope workshops at Capu Tafunatu and Paglia Orba, with only six teams completing those segments before conditions worsened. Despite the changes, no teams were disqualified, as the event's philosophy emphasizes allowing competitors to continue their expedition as much as possible rather than penalizing them for uncontrollable circumstances. Some race sections were shortened or neutralized, but the competition was resumed at alternative points. The goal was to ensure teams could proceed as far as possible without being excluded from the race. This approach aligns with the spirit of Adventure Racing, which values endurance and adaptability in the face of unpredictable challenges. Adventure Racing is a physically demanding sport that involves a variety of disciplines such as kayaking, mountain biking, and navigation, often over long distances and in remote locations. The 2026 World Championship, held in Corsica, tested the teams' skills and resilience in a challenging natural environment. The Estonian team's victory highlights the unpredictable nature of such events and the importance of flexibility in race management.