2021 ORC European Championship program confirmed

Rolex Capri Sailing Week © Rolex Capri Sailing Week

The first major event of the Mediterranean sailing season will take place as scheduled between Naples and Capri, from 13th to 20th May, with an unprecedented desire to race and on a completely Covid-free island - as confirmed by the administration.

The event program will start with Measurement checks set to begin in just one month, on 13th and 14th May, before the 66th Regata dei Tre Golfi sets off from the bay of Santa Lucia in Naples at the stroke of midnight on Saturday 15th May, against the backdrop of the sparkling lights of this enchanting Italian city.

This year's edition of the regatta will be valid as the offshore race in the 2021 ORC European Championship.

The prospect of a further postponement after the 2020 cancellation has therefore been averted, and although competitors will not be able to enjoy the traditional lunch offered by the Circolo Remo e Vela Italia prior to departure, the extraordinary sight and sound of more than 140 boats moored below the Castel dell'Ovo in Naples sounding their sirens to accompany the flag-raising ceremony in honor of the 93 te- ams (representing 9 nations) doing battle for the title of European Champion 2021, will remain as thrilling a spectacle as ever.

The Tre Golfi regatta is open to multihull, vintage and classic boats as well as dou- ble-handed crews, and covers approximately 150 miles from Naples to Ponza, retur- ning to round the Li Galli rocks off Positano, before crossing the finish line in Capri. The fleet will then remain in Capri for the second phase of the European Champion- ship, with three days of coastal racing taking place from Tuesday 18th to Thursday 20th May. A total of six races are scheduled, including the offshore race.

Rolex Capri Sailing Week - photo © Rolex Capri Sailing Week

"We are very impressed with the responsible manner in which the organizers have coordinated this important championship during these challenging times. With 93 entries, this is the most popular ORC Europeans in the event's 18-year history. I think this is indicative of everyone's great desire to get back to competitive sailing," commented Bruno Finzi, President of the Offshore Racing Congress.

A safe island:

Alongside the stringent safety protocols put in place by the organizers, the administration of the island of Capri has implemented a rigorous program to safely wel- come all participants in the event, which will inaugurate the tourist season in this difficult year.

"By the first week of May the entire island will be Covid-free," declared Marino Lembo, Mayor of Capri. "For the week of the Rolex Capri Sailing Week we will create a 'secure bubble' around the marina, which will cover the entire Marina Grande area. In addition, thanks to an agreement with the association of hoteliers, all accom- modation facilities have implemented a strict safety protocol providing the utmost healthcare assistance."