AmalfiCoast Costiera Amalfitana

Sorrento, 20 May 2025 - The second day of the IMA Maxi European Championship unfolded as a thrilling contest of skill, strategy and stamina along the stunning coastline of Sorrento and Capri. With the sea breeze teasing and twisting from the southeast, tacticians were constantly on edge in a race that demanded both bold decisions and a touch of luck.

The coastal route was pure Mediterranean magic: from a mark beneath Sorrento’s towering cliffs, the fleet reached down to Punta Campanella, rounded a buoy off the Galli Islands, circled the southern coast of Capri, and returned toward Punta Sorrento to finish.

First across the line was Magic Carpet 3, the Wallycento skippered by Sir Lindsay Owen Jones with Naples sailing icon Francesco De Angelis calling tactics. But the day’s victory on corrected time belonged to Bella Mente, the Maxi 72 owned by American Hap Fauth and helmed by a world-class team featuring Terry Hutchinson, Lucas Calabrese, Ian Moore, and Adrian Stead.

"It was a pretty hectic day out in the Gulf of Naples," said strategist Adrian Stead. "Overcast skies, breeze from 3 up to 21 knots – a real challenge. We had a solid start but couldn’t break to the left early, so we had to fight back. By the time we reached the southern side of Capri, we reeled in Jolt and stayed close enough to edge the win on corrected time."

CippaLippa X, the Mylius 60 of Paolo Gamucci, delivered an impressive performance to take second place despite its smaller size, while Proteus (George Sakellaris) rounded out the podium in third.

"It was like racing dinghies," joked Michele Regolo, tactician on CippaLippa X. "Short upwind, chaotic puffs, a light spot near Sorrento where the whole fleet reshuffled... but in the end, we got lucky with a small squall. Sometimes in sailing, that’s all it takes."

After three races, Bella Mente leads the overall standings, followed by Jolt (Peter Harrison with Michele Ivaldi) and Proteus.

Sorrento isn’t just the stage for racing, but also reflection. This evening, the Council Chamber of the Municipality of Sorrento will host the roundtable "Sporting Events and Sailing for Sustainable Territorial Development," exploring how elite sailing can power local economies. Speakers include Mayor Massimo Coppola, CRV Italia President Roberto Mottola di Amato, and V Zona FIV’s former president.

The Tre Golfi Sailing Week 2025 continues under the organization of Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia, with the collaboration of Yacht Club Italiano, Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia, IMA, ORC, FIV and UVAI. The event is supported by Rolex, Loro Piana, North Sails, Wally Yachts, Banca Patrimoni Sella & C., Ferrarelle, Ottogas, Deloitte, Italia Yachts, Le Axidie, Caffè Borbone, Schenker, Miliare, and Consorzio Prosecco DOC.

Tomorrow’s forecast promises 12 to 18 knots – perfect conditions for another chapter in this high-stakes Mediterranean showdown.