I’m not sure how a 26ft wave is going to reach glass “windshields” on that boat (whatever they mean by that). Even taken from abeam, a 26ft wave might give them a little roll, but it just doesn’t sound big enough to do much in the way of damage. I’m guessing there’s some part of the story that the reporter missed.
I’ve been in 20-foot seas in a considerably smaller vessel, and suffice it to say: it’ll make a God-fearing man out of the staunchest atheist.
I haven't seen the damage, but I'm guessing it probably broke over the bow. Another possibility and problem is that rogue waves frequently travel in a direction perpendicular to the prevailing sea. IOW, you could be headed directly into normal seas, but then get broadsided by a rogue wave. This can be especially problematic if you happen to be in a trough of the normal sea; maximizing the damage potential.
Until pictures of the vessel emerge, it's going to be difficult to tell precisely what happened.