Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - LEADERBOARD

RC44 Championship – From Bermuda to Porto Cervo

by RC44 Class Association on 27 Jun 2017
Fleet racing in Porto Cervo 2015 – RC44 Championship Martinez Studio / RC44 Class
Competition on the 2017 RC44 championship resumes this week with the second event of the season in the Italian sailing mecca of Porto Cervo. Thanks to its reputation for strong winds and flat water alongside the hospitality of the event's hosts, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda at their magnificent clubhouse, Porto Cervo annually attracts to the Mediterranean's most prestigious regattas.

Commodore Riccardo Bonadeo welcomed the RC44s: 'The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda is delighted to have the RC44 class back again here in Porto Cervo after two events at our Virgin Gorda clubhouse in the BVI. With this regatta starting tomorrow, it is the fourth time that the RC44 class chooses our Club. I wish a warm welcome here in Porto Cervo to the owners, the Race Committee, the International Jury and, last but not least, to the high level crews, including some sailors coming directly from Bermuda where the America's Cup has just ended.'

Nine of the one design monohulls will be competing this week at the RC44 Porto Cervo Cup.

After they missed the first event of the season in Sotogrande, Artemis Racing Youth is rejoining the RC44 fleet under regular skipper Gustaf Lidvall and their tactician, Swedish multiple Olympic medallist, Freddie Lööf.



Around half of Lidvall's crew are youth sailors with the Swedish team, many of whom have flown in directly from Bermuda following yesterday's conclusion of the 35th America's Cup. Among them is their new grinder, Julius Hallström, said to be third strongest crewman within all of Artemis Racing.

While the Artemis Racing Youth crew has been out training this morning, personally Lidvall says he hasn't been afloat too much so far this season: 'I have sailed with my own cruiser a bit, but no racing. It will be a baptism of fire!'

Tactician on Artemis Racing, Francesco Bruni has also just arrived in Sardinia from Bermuda and is once again having to make the transition back from foiling catamarans to sailing displacement monohulls, albeit speedy ones. 'I love all sailing – multihulls or monohulls. I love high quality racing and the America's Cup and the RC44 are high quality racing. It is a good feeling to see old friends again and it is great to be back in Porto Cervo,' he said.

For Bruni, Porto Cervo is one of his favourite places to sail: 'There are always great conditions here. Today it was 20-25 knots – fantastic.' However the forecast is warning that conditions may be a little too brisk at times this week, especially on Wednesday and possibly overnight on Saturday. 'The mistral is great when it's strong, but very bad when it is too strong. Sometimes it can blow up to 40 knots,' warns Bruni.



Also new to the RC44 fleet is German-Chilean Dag Von Appen, who is standing in for John Bassadone at the helm of Peninsula Petroleum this week. Von Appen, who is based in Chile, campaigns the yacht Itaú on the highly competitive Soto 40 circuit in South America. Calling tactics for him will be another leading Italian sailor and Peninsula Petroleum regular, Vasco Vascotto. 'It is sad that John is not coming, but is nice to sail with someone else and help them discover this class. I hope we will have another great week in Sardinia as this class deserves,' said Vascotto.

Practice racing takes place for the RC44 Porto Cervo Cup competitors tomorrow with racing proper over Thursday 29 June until Sunday 2 July with a first warning signal each day scheduled for 1200.

RC44 Championship Tour 2017 - Overall ranking
1. Team Aqua - 1
2. Peninsula Petroleum Sailing Team - 2
3. Bronenosec Sailing Team - 3
4. Team Nika - 4
5. Katusha - 5
6. Artemis Racing - 6
7. Team CEEREF - 7
8. Charisma - 8
9. Artemis Racing Youth - 11

Allen Dynamic 40 FooterHyde Sails 2024 - One DesignNorth Sails Loft 57 Podcast

Related Articles

Admiral's Cup 2025 | Welcome from Cowes
Bow Caddy Media provide an introduction and interview with Shane Guanaria from Zen Ahead of the first race, Crosbie Lorimer provides an introduction and interviews Shane Guanaria from Zen
Posted today at 11:12 pm
Aussies hunt 'Ashes on Water' win
The BONDS Flying Roos are looking to bounce back with a vengeance in Portsmouth Fresh off a bruising weekend in New York, the BONDS Flying Roos are looking to bounce back with a vengeance as they take on long time rivals Great Britain in their home waters at the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix, held in Portsmouth.
Posted today at 9:27 pm
4 Ultim rocketships to contest Rolex Fastnet Race
The giant 32m long by 23m wide flying trimarans are taking part in the 100th anniversary edition While the 50ft flying catamarans competing at SailGP Portsmouth this weekend will be impressive, charging out of the opposite western end of the Solent will be giant 32m long by 23m wide flying Ultim trimarans taking part in the 100th anniversary edition.
Posted today at 6:45 pm
SailGP comes to Portsmouth!
We speak to the sailors ahead of the weekend The Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Portsmouth takes place this weekend, with the 12 teams competing in F50 catamarans close to the waterfront, where a massive grandstand has been built for the spectators.
Posted today at 5:41 pm
SailGP: No practice racing at Portsmouth
The Practice Race was a fizzer, however the future of the SailGP fleet development was revealed. The scheduled Practice Day failed to fire at SailGP Portsmouth, after the forecast, admittedly light, breeze failed to male an appearance. The self propelled start marks were making a much better speed than the F50s.
Posted today at 4:14 pm
McIntyre Mini Globe Race Leg 3 Preview
The race to South Africa starts from Vuda Marina Fiji on 26th July In a world-first sailing challenge, 15 solo sailors from eight countries are navigating identical 5.8-meter (19-foot) self-built plywood yachts around the globe— The fleet has enjoyed a five week stopover in Fiji at the end of Leg 2.
Posted today at 1:26 pm
Third time Finn World No.1 for Alessandro Marega
Maintaining the top spot in the Finn World Ranking List Italy's Alessandro Marega maintains the top spot in the Finn World Ranking List for the third consecutive release. He remains World No. 1 with an 80-point lead over France's Laurent Hay.
Posted today at 1:18 pm
World Sailing Nations Cup to make grand return
After a seven-year hiatus, World Sailing has officially opened the bid process for host cities After a seven-year hiatus, the World Sailing Nations Cup, the ultimate event to crown the world's top match-racing nations, is making its much-anticipated return.
Posted today at 9:08 am
J/99s the in Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race
There will be a race within a race taking place in the 63 yacht fleet When the fleet of 63 yachts set off in the 2025 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast (NSGCYR) on 26 July, there will be a race within a race taking place.
Posted today at 6:53 am
2025 WASZP Pre-Games in Weymouth Day 2
A classic British summer's day as sailors launched beneath a blanket of grey cloud and drizzle The second day of the WASZP Pre-Games served up a classic British summer's day as sailors launched beneath a blanket of grey cloud and with a hug of fresh drizzle.
Posted today at 5:25 am