The “Tre Golfi Sailing Week” is one of the most important historical and well known event in the Italian competitive calendar.
This regatta has always attracted the best international sailing teams, will start on Saturday 14th from the bay of Santa Lucia in Naples.
Sailing along the Sorrento Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast, between the islands of the Gulfs of Naples, Gaeta and Salerno, is always a captivating experience. Meanwhile the shore-side event offers places that are unique in the world – boasting extraordinary natural surroundings, hospitality and culture.
Whilee the social program offers different events each evening, the sporting schedule includes four high profile events: the 67th Tre Golfi Regatta, the first European Maxi Championship, the ORC Mediterranean Championship, and the Tyrrhenian National Championship.
A flag-raising ceremony, at the presence of the city authorities, will open the event on Saturday 14th at 1:00 p.m.
From the Ocean to the Three Gulfs
ÂProceedings kick off with the historic Tre Golfi Regatta, in its 67th edition, which is also open to classic yachts, double-handed crews and multihulls.
Italy’s most famous ocean navigator, Giovanni Soldini, didn’t want to miss out this opportunity and will be on the starting line with his multi-award winning trimaran Maserati against Riccardo Pavoncelli’s MANA, a member of the CRVItalia; with a special skipper, Paul Larsen, sailing speed record holder.
150 boats will be on the starting line on Saturday 14th May, in the bay of Santa Lucia, below the imposing walls of Castel dell’Ovo in Naples. Watching them parade along the Posillipo seafront at sunset, on the classic 150-mile route (Procida – Ventotene – Ponza – Li Galli rocks – Capri) is an unforgettable sight. The course will be longer for the super-fast multihulls (with a mark to round off San Marco di Castellabate), and reduced for the classic yachts, rounding the island of Ventotene rather than Ponza.
The finishing line for all boats is off Capri, after which the boats will head to their host marinas in Sorrento, Sant’Agnello and Piano di Sorrento for a week of racing that will continue through 21st May.
Sorrento, home of the Maxis
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The Maxi European Championship, organized with the IMA, is an absolute first event, as the title has never before been assigned. 30 yachts ranging from 18 to 30 metres have entered, the largest fleet of Maxis to have sailed together in the gulf.
They will be moored in Marina Piccola in Sorrento, thanks to the support of the Municipality, the State Property Authority and the Campania Region, who have set up new jetties and moorings suitable for these precious queens of the sea.
Many hail from 8 different countries, boasting crews from all over the world trained by top professionals and owners ready to do everything in their power to take home the prestigious Rolex Trophy.
After the end of the opening long-distance race, Monday 16th there will be a lay day followed by four days of coastal and windward-leeward racing.
The awards ceremony will be held on Friday 20th, on the enchanting islet of Li Galli.
ORC Med, an offshore sailing classic
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The ORC Mediterranean Championship returns, 16 years from its last edition.
Beginning with the Tre Golfi long race, the championship continues with three days of windward-leeward competitions from Thursday 19th to Saturday 21st May in the waters between Capri and Sorrento.
The final three days are also valid for the Thyrrenian National Championship and selections for the ORC Italian championship.
The ORC boats number more than 50 measuring a maximum of 18 meters long – therefore at the “small” end of the fleet – which will moor in the ports of Piano di Sorrento and Sant’Agnello, where the race village will also be located.
As for all “first editions”, sponsors and representatives of the most competitive yachts have carried out inspections to study the locations ashore and the regatta course. The feedback has been enthusiastic.
The regatta course has already been described by the Olympian Straulino as “the stadium of wind”, it has to be noticed that the shore facilities and the proverbial Sorrentine welcome have already won over many hearts.
Could sailing become the driving force behind a further development of tourism on the peninsula?
We wholeheartedly hope so.
