Yacht Class n°45 (June-july-August 2026)
Republic of Singapore Yacht Club (RSYC)
The Republic of Singapore Yacht Club Crowned Asia’s Finest Yacht Club
The Republic of Singapore Yacht Club (RSYC) has reached a new pinnacle in its distinguished history, having been awarded the title of Asia’s finest yacht club at the Yacht Style Awards 2026. This honour, announced on 22nd April 2026, places the Singaporean institution at the forefront of the Asian yachting scene, recognising its excellence in heritage, infrastructure, service, and community spirit. Selected from a competitive field of eight distinguished candidates from across the region, RSYC regards this victory as a powerful affirmation of its enduring legacy and its capacity for continual innovation. As Asia’s oldest yacht club, the accolade underscores how the club has evolved with the times while preserving the traditions that define its identity. This distinction also reflects the dedication of the RSYC team, as well as the steadfast support of its members, whose passion and loyalty continue to shape the club’s success. Together, they have fostered a warm and inclusive environment that resonates deeply within the Asian yachting community.
Yacht Club of GREECE (YCG)
New sailing yachts for new ambitions
Six new RS21 keelboats have been added to the fleet of the Yacht Club of Greece (YCG). This significant enhancement, made possible through the generosity of the Club’s members, constitutes a clear statement of modernisation, placing the YCG at the forefront of international developments in sailing. The RS21 is no ordinary vessel. She is widely recognised as the quintessential “modern keelboat”, combining the speed and exhilaration of a racing craft with an exceptionally user-friendly and ergonomic design. These new boats will form the cornerstone of the Club’s adult sailing programmes, enabling both novices and experienced sailors to learn and practise the sport in the most contemporary manner. Furthermore, the YCG offers its members, as well as those of affiliated clubs, the opportunity to take to the water aboard these new vessels through a range of engaging events. This initiative transforms the YCG into an international destination for high-level sailing. Through this endeavour, the Yacht Club of Greece demonstrates that tradition and innovation can sail in harmony, guided always by the enduring passion of its sailors.
YACHT CLUB COSTA SMERALDA (YCCS)
Maddalena Spanu was crowned vice-European champion at the Formula Wing European Championship
The Formula Wing European Championship concluded in Naples on 12th April 2026, with the absence of wind making it impossible to hold the scheduled Medal Race. As a result, the rankings remained unchanged from the previous day, with Maddalena Spanu, an athlete in the Young Azzurra programme of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, claiming the title of Formula Wing European vice-champion. The European title went to France’s Vaina Picot, while her compatriot Kylie Bellœuvre completed the podium in third place.”It’s been a truly challenging week, both in terms of performance and mentally. Racing in very light wind conditions was particularly demanding, and it was essential to remain focused in order to make the most of every metre sailed on the water. Obviously, my aim was to go back out on the water today to defend the title I won last year, but the conditions were not suitable for racing, and that is part of the sport. I know I gave it everything I had, and this second place is an excellent result,” commented Maddalena Spanu at the end of the event.
The Formula Wing European Championship, held from 8th to 12th April, was marked by extremely light conditions throughout the competition, with a thermal breeze ranging between 6.5 knots and a maximum of 10 to 12 knots over the five days. A total of 12 races were contested.
The first day saw competitors contest four long-distance races, featuring a “rabbit start” that provided a striking spectacle, as approximately 100 brightly coloured riders from both the men’s and women’s fleets took to the water off Castel dell’Ovo in Naples. On the second day, three short-course races were held during the morning session, while in the only women’s race of the afternoon, with wind barely above the minimum threshold, only four of the 21 competitors managed to cross the finish line. A further three races were staged on the third day, while the previous day saw just one race completed before the wind dropped to 5 knots, making it impossible to continue the programme.
YACHT CLUB COSTA SMERALDA (YCCS)
Victory for Stig at the Cape 31 Mediterranean Series, opening round
The first stage of the Cape 31 Mediterranean circuit – and the opening event of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s regatta season – concluded on 26th April 2026 in Porto Cervo. Fourteen crews competed aboard the one-design yachts conceived by Mark Mills in collaboration with Lord Irvine Laidlaw, a member of the YCCS. After three days of racing, the Italian crew of Stig, owned by Alessandro Rombelli, secured overall victory. Shotgunn, owned by Michael Wilson, finished in second place, with Kalantis completing the podium in third.
The windward–leeward races commenced on Friday 24th April, on the course set off Porto Cervo, in generally light airs, with peaks of no more than 10 knots recorded during the final two races of the second day. Django, helmed by Vittorio Lombardi Stronati and racing under the colours of the YCCS, led after the opening day, posting a win, a third-place, and a second-place finish, thereby taking the lead in the provisional standings. The situation shifted markedly on the second day: Stig, with Olympic medallist Šime Fantela on board, demonstrated outstanding tactical acumen to secure victory in three of the four races sailed, thereby seizing the overall lead, closely pursued by Shotgunn, just five points adrift.
The contest for first place remained wide open at the outset of the final day of competition. Tactical judgement and an exceptional degree of concentration in every manoeuvre proved decisive for the crews on the water, once again tested by particularly light winds.
La Pericolosa claimed victory in the first race of the day, ahead of Eker Süzme in second place and Shotgunn in third. Stig finished ninth in that race, yet a fourth-place finish in the final contest enabled her to edge past Shotgunn, the defending champion from the previous season, and secure overall victory. In this ninth and final race, Django led the fleet from start to finish to take the win, but was unable to displace Kalantis from third place in the overall standings.
“We are delighted to have opened the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s regatta season with the Cape 31 class. These three intense and closely contested days were distinguished by the excellent work of the Race Committee, which ensured that the full programme was completed despite particularly light wind conditions. I should like to extend my thanks to the class, all the owners, the crews and their guests for coming to Porto Cervo. We trust they enjoyed their stay, both on the water and ashore, and we look forward to welcoming them again in the near future,” said Giorgio Benussi, Secretary General and Sporting Director of the YCCS.
REAL CLUB NÁUTICO DE BARCELONA (RCNB)
Cerretelli and Rudawski crowned champions at the Barcelona ILCA Master Championship 2026
On 12th April 2026, the Barcelona ILCA Master Championship 2026 came to a close in Barcelona following a final day marked by unstable weather conditions, which prevented any racing and left the standings based on the results from the second day, with a total of four races completed.
In the ILCA 7 fleet, Lorenzo Cerretelli (Yacht Club Punta Ala) claimed overall victory. The American Peter Hurley (Mantoloking Yacht Club) finished second, while the Italian Francesco Bottoni (Circolo Nautico San Vincenzo) completed the podium.
In the ILCA 6 overall classification, Marcin Rudawski secured victory, followed by José María Van der Ploeg (CN El Balís) and Carlos Martínez (RC Regatas Santiago de la Ribera).
The championship brought together more than 100 sailors from 17 countries, confirming its status as a major event on the international ILCA Master calendar.
The event was organised by the Fundació Reial Club Nàutic de Barcelona in collaboration with the Real Federación Española de Vela, the Federació Catalana de Vela, the Spanish ILCA Class Association, and the Barcelona International Sailing Centre.
Noticia secured a resounding victory
in the second regatta of the Barcelona Spring Series
The Real Club Nàutico de Barcelona hosted, from 24th to 26th April, the second event of the Barcelona Spring Series (J70), held in the waters off Barcelona, where a total of seven races were contested in variable weather conditions that tested the consistency of the fleet.
The programme commenced on Friday with two races. Saturday, marked by a prolonged wait on the water owing to light winds, ultimately allowed for three races to be contested once the breeze had filled in. Then, on Sunday, in lighter conditions, two further races were sailed, bringing the total to seven races with one discard.
Noticia, helmed by Luis Martín Cabiedes (RCN Barcelona), proved to be the most consistent crew in the fleet, delivering a highly accomplished performance to claim overall victory with a total of 9 points.
Second place went to the German team Diva, led by Kai-Uwe Hollweg (SKWB), who finished on 17 points after maintaining steady results throughout the event. The podium was completed by Hang Ten, helmed by Mon Cañellas (CN Cambrils), tied on points with the German team in an exceptionally close contest for the leading positions.
In total, 18 boats representing six nationalities took part, once again confirming the international character of the circuit and Barcelona’s appeal as a key venue for the J70 class. The fleet now turns its attention to the final event of the Barcelona Spring Series, scheduled from 15th to 17th May, coinciding with the 53rd Conde de Godó Sailing Trophy, which will serve as a prelude to the 2026 J/70 European Championship, set to take place in Barcelona next July, with a record level of participation already confirmed.
SOCIETE NAUTIQUE DE GENEVE (SNG)
New edition of the largest single-handed lake regatta
Established in 1974, the Translémanique en Solitaire has become one of the most demanding races on Lake Geneva. Each year, it brings together leading figures of international sailing alongside local talents, united by a challenge that is as technical as it is intense. From 28th to 30th August, the race is open to racing monohulls and cruiser-racers. Its course, redesigned in 2017, offers a full circuit of Lake Geneva: starting from Geneva, heading towards the Upper Lake as far as Le Bouveret, before returning to the point of departure.
Beneath this apparent simplicity, the regatta severely tests competitors’ nerves. Sailing on Lake Geneva requires finesse, endurance, and a precise reading of ever-changing weather conditions.
Information : translemanique.ch
A distinguished gathering for classic yachting with Hélice Classique!
From 3rd to 5th July, the Société Nautique de Genève will host the 21st edition of Hélice Classique, which this year will take on a Riva Days theme in collaboration with the Riva Historical Society. This event offers a unique opportunity for enthusiasts and aficionados to admire these magnificent, exceptional motorboats.
Combining onshore activities with a nautical parade, the programme promises to be both convivial and celebratory. Established as a key fixture since 2005, this gathering now brings together around twenty of these prestigious vessels each year.
Information : heliceclassique@nautique.ch
