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YACHT Class n°40 (March-April-may 2025)
YACHT CLUB COSTA SMERALDA (YCCS)
Pays tribute to His Highness the Aga Khan
His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV died in Lisbon on 4th February at the age of 88. A passionate yachtsman, he co-founded the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Sardinia, and was active in youth and environmental causes. In 1967, His Highness the Aga Khan’s pioneering vision led to the creation of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS), together with his friends André Ardoin, Giuseppe Kerry Mentasti and Luigi Vietti. Since then, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV has presided over the Club and made the YCCS an international benchmark in the world of yachting and a centre of excellence. His passion for sailing led him to support the first Italian America’s Cup challenge, Azzurra, in Newport ‘83. Another milestone was reached in 1992 with Destriero, a waterjet-powered vessel that set an unrivalled transatlantic record (58h 34m 40s) between New York and England. In addition to his sporting achievements, His Highness the Aga Khan has always shown great respect for the environment and the sea. It was in this spirit that the Club, with the support of the Aga Khan’s family, launched the One Ocean sustainability initiative, the first forum in Italy on preserving the marine environment, and the Young Azzurra project, a programme designed to support talented young sailors in their professional development. The members of the Club, the Board of Directors, the Commodore, the Board of Auditors and all the management and staff express their most sincere condolences to the family of His Highness and to the Ismaili community.
Yacht Club Punta del Este (YCPE)
A Thrilling Regatta Season at YCPE
The summer of 2025 promises to be an exciting one for sailing enthusiasts at Yacht Club Punta del Este, with a rich and varied regatta programme that will make the most of the magnificent Bay of Maldonado. Designed for sailors of all levels, this season promises a mix of challenging races, festive gatherings, and exciting competition on the water.
A traditional kick-off
The action began on 4th January with the traditional Seguros Sura Regatta, which saw over 100 boats on the starting line, ranging from Optimists and windsurfers to catamarans and ILCAs. A week later, on 10th January, the Yacht Club hosted the Commodore Federico García Capurro Award for the J 70 class, a thrilling fixed-course race between Banquitos and Monarca. Juan Vidal and his crew took top honours, adding another victory to their impressive record.
On the weekend of 11 and 12 January, the ILCA class (formerly the Laser class) launched its annual ranking with the Commodore Juan Gorlero Award, attracting nearly 30 boats from all over Uruguay and Argentina. With 18 races divided into three categories. The club’s focus on nurturing young talent was highlighted during the Ernesto de Francesco Award for the Optimist class, held on 14 and 15 January. With 32 participants ranging from experienced sailors to beginners, the regatta took place over two days with intense racing and strong winds. From 19th to 23rd January, the spotlight turned to the graceful vessels of the Classic Yachts Week, organised by Yacht Club Argentino and Yacht Club Punta del Este. With 26 boats and almost 300 crew members, these iconic yachts paraded through 4 circuits, reaching destinations like Punta Ballena, Solanas, and La Barra. The regatta was a true visual spectacle, with the yachts showcasing their traditional craftsmanship in wood and bronze.
Looking Ahead: Rolex and More
The excitement continues as the Rolex South Atlantic Circuit kicks off on 25th January, with more than 70 boats competing until 31st January. This prestigious circuit is the only one of its kind in South America. It is sponsored by Rolex and organised by the Yacht Club Argentino and the Yacht Club Punta del Este. Participants come from Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.
REAL CLUB NAUTICO DE BARCELONA (RCNB)
Barcelona Winter Series, a 3rd International act featuring 31 J70
24th January 2025, Barcelona, marked the start of the third act of the Barcelona Winter Series, one of the most important events of the winter season for the J70 class in Spain. Organised by the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona (RCNB), the event brought together a fleet of 31 boats from 12 countries until Sunday 26th January, featuring some of the best sailors on the international scene. It stood out for its high level of competition, gathering some of the biggest names in national and international sailing, including world champions and sailors with experience in the Olympic Games, America’s Cup, and Volvo Ocean Race. Among the participants were notable figures such as seafarer Roberto “Chuny” Bermúdez de Castro, competing aboard Correa-Kessler; seven-time world champion Rayco Tabares on Tenaz; and Olympic medallist Joan Cardona, steering Kimpton Hotels, the recent winner of the second act of the Barcelona Winter Series. Also competing were the Olympic Martínez Doreste brothers: Gustavo, sailing with the Swedish team Garm; Jorge, helming Hang Ten, the current leader of the provisional overall standings; and Luis, part of the HSN Sailing Team. In addition, Danish sailor Sten Mohr, skipper of Lady in Red and a veteran of the 2027 America’s Cup with Victory Challenge, raced alongside Canarian sailor Alicia Ageno, who is also a crew member of HSN. The competition also featured Dutch Olympian Annemieke Bess, trimmer on NED-1396, and experienced sailor Pablo Santurde, a regular on Noticia. In addition to these star names, the regatta featured regular teams from the Mediterranean fleet, such as Bodega Can Marlès, Noticia, HSN, Cobra – Ratsey & Lapthorn, Nautia, and Gunter, as well as international teams like the UK’s Serious fun and Germany’s Diva. The third act of the Barcelona Winter Series promised three intense days of racing, with twelve races scheduled-four per day. This act was crucial in shaping the overall standings ahead of the final two stages of the season. The Barcelona Winter Series is organized by the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona and is sponsored by Engel&Völkers and Renting Ribs, with the collaboration of Estrella Damm, Veri, Diputació de Barcelona, and J70.
Start of the Barcelona 5 CLUBS Regatta with an exciting first race
The Barcelona 5 CLUBS Regatta kicked off on Sunday 2nd February with the first race of the competition, organised jointly by the Real Club Nàutic de Barcelona (RCNB), the Real Club Marítim de Barcelona (RCMB), the Club de Mar Port Olímpic, the Club Nàutic Masnou and the Club de Vela Badalona. With a total of 87 entries, the largest contingent took part in the first race, but the regatta was held up for one hour due to the lack of wind, which forced the team to fasten the safety belt. However, as the morning progressed, the wind began to pick up, causing fins to reach an intensity of 7-8 knots from the south-east, giving the competition the chance to go out. The competitors were able to head out at 13:27 and the total distance was 7.94 nautical miles. The fleet was divided into groups: ORC 0-1-2, ORC 3, ORC 4, ORC 5, Promoció Class, Sportboat Class and Clàssics-època.
The Barcelona 5 CLUBS Regatta continues its calendar with the following races: on 2nd March at the Royal Maritime Club of Barcelona, on 6th April at the Club de Mar Port Olímpic, on 27th April at the Club Nàutic Masnou and on 11th May at the Club de Vela Badalona. Each race is independent but counts towards the final ranking, which makes this league a hotly contested competition right up to the last day. At the same time, each club will be able to use them as qualifying events for their annual leagues or trophies. The organisers invite all interested sailors to sign up before the Thursday prior to each race in order to take part in this unique experience, which not only encourages competition but also the spirit of community and passion for sailing.
IATE CLUBE DE SANTOS (ICS)
74th Santos-Rio Regatta (October 2024)
The race
The Santos-Rio Regatta offers sailors elements that make it an essential addition to the résumé of those willing to face the challenges of an oceanic race. Following technical meetings and the customary social gathering at the Iate Clube de Santos (ICS) — competitors set off across the Atlantic towards Urca, Rio de Janeiro, celebrating their arrival at the Iate Clube do Rio de Janeiro (ICRJ). As a relatively short ocean regatta, Santos-Rio attracts the country’s top sailors, including Olympic medallists and world champions such as Torben Grael and his brother, Olympic medallist and world champion Lars Grael, who has taken part in 20 editions of the race.
Winners
Magia IV, helmed by Torben Grael and measuring just 30 feet, won the 74th Santos-Rio Regatta on corrected time for the ORC Class, the most competitive category, with a time
of 40h 11m 24s. She was followed by Dona Bola and Maximus. Phoenix that won the Line Honours (30h 38m 18s), finished fifth, behind Duma. Other competitors such as Inaê Transbrasa and Bicho Grilo also completed the 200-nautical-mile (360 km) race. The boats in the other classes continued sailing late into the night on Sunday (27th October), heading for Guanabara Bay after setting off from Santos Bay on Friday (25th October). As skipper, Torben took his eighth Santos-Rio victory—a record for the competition—to add to his six previous Line Honours titles (first to cross the finish line). Magia IV won her second championship exactly 20 years after her victory in 2004, when the entire regatta was sailed upwind. A five-time Olympic medallist, with two gold medals, Torben used the Magia IV’s characteristics to define the race strategy.
SOCIÉTE NAUTIQUE DE GENÈVE (SNG)
Forever first!
Justine Mettraux from Geneva crossed the finish line of the Vendée Globe 2024-2025 at 2.38 p.m. on Saturday 25th January, completing the circumnavigation in 76 days 01 hour and 36 minutes, making her the fastest female competitor in this solo round-the-world race. Improving on Clarisse Crémer’s record by 11 days, Justine has set a new standard in the history of the competition. Aboard her IMOCA TeamWork, Justine has sailed the world’s oceans with exemplary skill, determination and courage. The last few weeks in the North Atlantic were no picnic, namely due to extreme weather conditions, but she sailed with self-control and resilience to the finish line. Justine left her mark on this edition by finishing first five times: first woman and first international, first with an old-generation boat, first Swiss woman to complete a Vendée Globe, all in her first participation.
YACHT CLUB OF GREECE (YCG)
Cyclades Cup: the season’s highlight
The Yacht Club of Greece organises prestigious galas and regattas every year, attracting seasoned sailors and yachting enthusiasts alike. For the thirteenth year, Spetses Classic Yacht Regatta (25-28 June, 2025) will showcase maritime elegance. This regatta brings together classic wooden yachts, vintage boats and high-performance racers in a setting that pays tribute to Greece’s naval traditions. The tough and competitive offshore race, 58th Andros International Yacht Race–John B. Goulandris (28-31 August, 2025) will challenge every participant and provide an unforgettable experience. Among the most eagerly awaited events in 2025 is the Cyclades Cup – Antiparos (12-15 June, 2025) for boats of 30 metres and above. A rising star in the Greek ocean racing calendar, the Cyclades Cup Antiparos made its debut last year with great success. Organised in partnership with YCG and supported by the SuperYacht Racing Association, it welcomes superyachts over 30 metres in length in three distinct categories inspired by Greek mythology: the Apollo class for large, elegant yachts, the Skyphian class for high-performance all-rounders, and the Meltemi class for fast racing sloops. The 2024 edition saw the participation of over 20 yachts, attracting some of the world’s most renowned sailors and yacht owners. The event combines competition with the unrivalled charm of Antiparos, offering an unforgettable blend of world-class sailing and Greek hospitality. With an increasing number of entries expected in 2025, the Cyclades Cup is quickly becoming a must-attend event on the superyacht racing circuit.
