To Be by Stefano Rusconi wins the 2025 ORC Mediterranean Championship in Sorrento
by Offshore Racing Congress 18 May 2025 19:55 BST
Stefano Rusconi's To Be, the Italia Yachts 11.98, is the new ORC Mediterranean Champion © Tre Golfi Sailing Week / Studio Borlenghi
With the conclusion of the 70th Regata dei Tre Golfi, the 2025 ORC Mediterranean Championship has officially wrapped up, with victory going to To Be, the Italia Yachts 11.98 owned by Stefano Rusconi and representing Yacht Club Italiano.
The Italian team claimed the overall title and the Senator Andrea Matarazzo Cup by winning the offshore race — a 156-nautical-mile overnight challenge — which started from Naples on 16 May and concluded with To Be leading on corrected time.
This final offshore leg was a crucial decider in the championship, forming the second act of the ORC Med series. The route took the fleet around the islands of Ponza, Capri, and Li Galli, providing a fast and tactical passage that tested navigation, boat speed, and teamwork.
To Be delivered an outstanding performance, finishing the race with a corrected time of 13h 28m, the fastest across all classes — a result that secured their overall championship victory.
Second place in the offshore race went to Selene - Alifax (Swan 42 Club, Massimo De Campo), who also completed the series tied for second in the overall standings.
Sayann (First 40, Paolo Cavarocchi) claimed third in the long-distance race and closed out the Top 10 overall.
"The Regata dei Tre Golfi was a superb conclusion to the series we had already sailed in Sorrento," commented Stefano Rusconi, owner of To Be.
"The final miles of the offshore had us holding our breath through the early morning hours, fearing that the smaller boats might beat us in corrected time. Personally, and on behalf of the To Be crew, we are proud of the result and fully energized for the European Championship."
This morning, at 11:30, the official awards ceremony took place at the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia in Naples. Trophies were presented by Club President Roberto Mottola di Amato, Vice President Maurizio Pavesi, and Board Member for Sailing Giuseppe Montella, in a well-attended celebration that recognized both the competitive level and camaraderie of the fleet.
To Be, already a front-runner during the windward-leeward races of the ORC Mediterranean Championship held between Sorrento and Capri from 8 to 10 May, confirmed its consistency and strength in the offshore leg as well. The team also took home the Yacht Club Italiano Trophy, awarded to the crew with the most podium finishes across the event.
Right behind them, Confluence (GP 42, FRA) — helmed by Jean-Pierre Joly — delivered a standout performance throughout the championship. The French team dominated the inshore series, winning two races and never finishing outside the top three (after discard), ultimately finishing second overall after a solid offshore showing. A well-deserved result for one of the most consistent and well-prepared teams of the week.
Top 10 Overall - ORC Mediterranean Championship 2025
1. TO BE - Italia 11.98 - Stefano Rusconi, ITA - ORC B - 11.00 pts
2. CONFLUENCE - GP 42 - Jean-Pierre Joly, FRA- ORC A - 19.00 pts
3. SELENE - ALIFAX - Swan 42 Club - Massimo De Campo, ITA - ORC A - 19.00 pts
4. MASCALZONE LATINO - Farr 40 - Vincenzo Onorato, ITA - ORC B - 22.00 pts
5. RAFFICA - DK 46 - Pasquale Orofino, ITA - ORC A - 26.00 pts
6. LISA R - Ker 46 - Giovanni Di Vincenzo, ITA - ORC 0 - 26.50 pts
7. ARKAS SAILING TEAM - BLUE MOON - TP52 - Arcas Bernard, TUR - ORC 0 - 30.00 pts
8. MUSICA - TP52 - Ruedi Huber, SUI - ORC 0 - 38.00 pts
9. SOUTH KENSINGTON - First 35 - Licata D'Andrea Massimo, ITA - ORC C - 45.00 pts
10. SAYANN - First 40 - Paolo Cavarocchi, ITA - ORC B - 48.00 pts
The ORC Mediterranean Championship - the opening act of the Tre Golfi Sailing Week 2025 - was structured in two parts: a series of technical windward-leeward races off Sorrento and Capri, followed by a demanding offshore race through the Gulfs of Naples, Gaeta, and Salerno, with iconic roundings of Procida, Ischia, Ventotene, Ponza, Capri, and Li Galli. The event served as a key test event for the ORC World Championship 2026, which will take place in these very waters.
"This year's ORC Mediterranean Championship confirmed how competitive and close the racing can be under the ORC system," said Bruno Finzi, Chairman of ORC.
"We saw a fantastic mix of boat types, nationalities, and race styles - all handled under one fair, unified rule. The Tre Golfi Sailing Week has proven once again to be a world-class venue, and this event gives us great confidence and momentum toward a successful and highly attended ORC World Championship here in 2026. We look forward to welcoming a strong international fleet back to these waters."
The Tre Golfi Sailing Week, ORC Mediterranean Championship were organized by Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia under the patronage of FIV, and in cooperation with Yacht Club Italiano, Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia, the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC), and UVAI. The event is supported by Rolex (Official Timepiece), Loro Piana, North Sails, Banca Patrimoni Sella, Ferrarelle, Ottogas, Deloitte, Italia Yachts, and other technical and institutional partners.
Full results