Monfalcone welcomes the world for the 4th ORC Double-Handed World Championship
by Offshore Racing Congress 8 Sep 10:05 PDT
7-13 September 2025
The northern gateway to the Mediterranean, Monfalcone has come alive with international offshore racing talent as the 4th edition of the ORC Double-Handed World Championship officially gets under way.
Hosted by Yacht Club Monfalcone in collaboration with Marina Monfalcone, and under the authority of the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC), the event runs from September 7 to 13, 2025, bringing together a strong international fleet and promising a week of world-class competition.
First held in Sweden in 2022, followed by editions in Spain (2023) and Norway (2024), this year's championship marks a symbolic return to the Adriatic, a region deeply rooted in offshore sailing tradition. With Monfalcone's exceptional sailing conditions, longstanding maritime heritage, and top-tier infrastructure, the 2025 edition is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and memorable yet.
Preceding the Worlds, the inaugural Italian ORC Double-Handed Championship was held on August 27-28 in nearby Trieste, featuring a two-stage format that mirrored the international standard. Races took place in the Gulf of Trieste and beyond, crowning national champions who are now also expected to contend for global medals here in Monfalcone. The winners, HAURAKI (Mauro and Giovanni Trevisan) in Class A, COLOMBRE (Massimo Juris and Pietro Luciani) in Class B, and LADY DAY 998 (Corrado Annis and Alberto Lonza) in Class C, have all confirmed their participation and will be closely watched by their international rivals.
Several of last year's ORC Double-Handed European Championship podium finishers from nearby Caorle are returning to the international stage this week, further raising the competitive level. Among them are 2024 European Champions COLOMBRE (JPK 10.80 - Massimo Juris & Pietro Luciani), now racing in Class B, and Class A silver medallists HAURAKI (Millennium 40 R - Mauro & Giovanni Trevisan), returning in Class A.
Class B podium finishers TASMANIA (First 40.7 - Antonio Di Chiara & Walter Svetina), this year Antonio with Samuele Nicolettis, and KEY-GO (One-Off - Pacifico D'Ettore & Michele Zambelli), are also on the entry list. JOY (J/99 - Vladimir Borstnar & Bojan Gale), winner of Class C in 2024, returns now racing in Class B, while MARGOT (First 36.7 mod. - Andrea Emili & Thomas Scolà), bronze medallist in Class C, is back to challenge again in her division.
Also returning is Swedish duo Lars Bergkvist & Anders Dahlsjo, who finished second overall at the 2024 ORC DH Worlds in Norway aboard CONSENSUS (Farr 30); this year, they will compete in Class C on ALTISSIMUS (Corby 25). The presence of these proven teams sets the stage for a thrilling battle for the 2025 World titles.
While most of the fleet is composed of male crews, several standout teams will compete in the newly introduced Female and Mixed divisions, making this one of the most diverse ORC DH World Championships to date.
Flying the flag for the Female Division, the only all-women team in the fleet - MY WAY (J/80, CRO 2662) - features Croatian skipper Petra Kliba racing alongside Steffi Edeler. Representing the international Petra Kliba Women Sailing Team, they are backed by a diverse group of women hailing from seven countries. The duo previously competed in the 2024 ORC DH Europeans aboard a First 36, finishing 8th in Class A, and continue to break boundaries with each regatta they enter.
Meanwhile, three mixed-gender crew, one in each class, will contend in the Mixed Division. In Class A, JULES (Oceanis 46.1) brings together Manuel Constantin and Inna Liska. In Class B, AXTEROPE (X-35), sailed by Stefano Michelazzi and Anna Gregorio, returns after competing in last year's Europeans. In Class C, CHILAVISTA (Bonin 31 mod.) is skippered by Giovanna Gangitano with co-skipper Ivo Gattulli. These teams add depth and dimension to the fleet, embodying the evolving future of offshore sailing where skill, strategy, and synergy are paramount.
The championship format includes two offshore races: a long-distance race, expected to last 48 to 60 hours for the slowest boats, and a shorter race of approximately 8 to 10 hours. Both will be scored cumulatively with no discards, and the long offshore carries a scoring coefficient of 1.5. The courses will span the scenic waters of the Italian, Slovenian, and Croatian coasts, testing tactical precision, endurance, and seamanship.
While the focus is firmly on elite-level racing, the event also offers a vibrant social program. Sunday and Monday are dedicated to registration and measurement checks at the Race Office. Monday evening features a Crew-Only Wine Tasting Dinner in the heart of the Collio wine region. Tuesday brings the Practice Race, Skippers' Meeting, and Opening Ceremony, followed by a Crew Party on the waterfront. Racing is set to begin on Wednesday, with the long offshore starting Thursday and lasting through Friday night. The Prizegiving Ceremony will take place on Saturday evening at the Olympic Hangar.
Located in one of the Adriatic's finest marinas, Yacht Club Monfalcone brings decades of experience in hosting major international regattas. As YCM President Germano Scarpa noted: "A warm welcome to all the teams that have chosen to compete in the ORC DH World Championship: your presence is an honour for us at an event that marks one of the most significant chapters in the sailing history of Monfalcone and in the life of our Club. Yacht Club Monfalcone is ready to experience - and to let all participants experience - a week of top-level sailing at this world championship."
Loris Plet, Director of Yacht Club Monfalcone, added: "Our Club strongly pursued the opportunity to host this event, which for the very first time comes to Italy and the Adriatic. This achievement has been made possible thanks to the trust and synergy built since our candidacy, involving numerous stakeholders: public institutions, private partners, and volunteers. Now, after months of hard work, we are ready to offer all the teams the best possible sailing experience within the ORC DH World Championship."
The 2025 ORC Double-Handed World Championship offers not only a high-stakes test of sailing skill, but also celebrates the spirit of camaraderie, resilience, and connection that defines offshore racing. With seasoned champions, ambitious newcomers, and a spectacular setting, all the ingredients are in place for an unforgettable week on and off the water.
Spectators and fans can follow the action live, thanks to GPS tracking powered by Metasail, offering a dynamic and engaging view of the racing as it unfolds across the Adriatic.
Bruno Finzi, Chairman of ORC, also shared his thoughts on the growing success of the championship format:
"It's truly encouraging to see how the Double-Handed World Championship has found its place on the international sailing calendar. Year after year, we see more nations joining, experienced teams returning, and new sailors stepping into the discipline. This format continues to inspire sailors with its unique challenges, and we're proud to see it thrive here in Monfalcone - a place that reflects the spirit and passion of offshore racing."
To support the smooth running of the event, the ORC technical team is on-site in Monfalcone, working closely with the race committee and organizers. The team is proudly outfitted in official ORC team gear provided by VENNVIND, the Official Technical Gear Supplier, a visible symbol of the collaboration and professionalism behind the scenes.