Sardinia RS Aero & OpenSkiff Team Race World Championship - Day 1
by Elena Giolai 8 Nov 2025 09:25 AEDT
13-16 November 2025
The Sardinia Team Race World Championship RS Aero & OpenSkiff opened with high emotions and top-level tactical sailing in the waters of Su Siccu. An early storm forced the fleet back to shore shortly after the first procedures, but conditions improved in the early afternoon, allowing the race committee to resume operations. By sunset, 16 flights had been completed on the opening day of the first part of the event, dedicated to the RS Aero 5 class, which takes the spotlight this weekend.
Team racing once again proved its spectacular and highly tactical nature. In this 2 vs 2 format (with four boats on the water and one male and one female sailor per team), crossing the line first does not guarantee victory; the key is securing the best overall scoring combination for your team. Blocking, covering, millimetric crossings, and strategic calls made in just seconds turn this discipline into a true test of race reading, communication, and precise boat handling.
At the end of Day 1, three teams remain unbeaten with three wins from three races: Italy 1 with Filippo Vincis and Alice Sussarello, the reigning European champions; the Principality of Monaco, represented by Riccardo Hai Gessa and Chiara Sussarello; and Italy 2, with an excellent performance by Andrea De Matteis alongside Lidia Farci. Close behind, Belgium 2 finished with two wins from three matches, while Sweden closed the day with two wins out of four. One win for Ukraine and Belgium 1, while Romania and Argentina are still chasing their first victory.
The fleet returned to shore at sunset after a day marked by changing weather but ultimately offering ideal conditions in the second half and closely fought matches throughout. Racing will continue on Saturday with the completion of the round robin, before heading into the final phases that will award the continental team title.
The event is organized by the Lega Navale Italiana - Sulcis Section, hosted at Società Canottieri Ichnusa in Cagliarion behalf of the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV) and made possible thanks to the support of the Tourism Department of the Sardinia Region.
Full Results available here.
Photo gallery available here.