Tre Golfi Sailing Week IMA Maxi European Championship Inshore Series Day 1
by Tre Golfi Sailing Week 19 May 18:55 BST
7-22 May 2025
The Sorrento Peninsula delivered picture-perfect conditions for the opening day of inshore racing at the IMA Maxi European Championship, the second stage of the Tre Golfi Sailing Week 2025.
Under a bright sun and a steadily building south-westerly breeze ranging from 8 to 12 knots, the Maxi fleet took on the first coastal race of the event.
The 17-nautical-mile course, set just off the Sorrento coastline with Mount Vesuvius as a dramatic backdrop, offered a perfect blend of strategy, speed and stunning scenery. First across the finish line was the Wallycento Galateia, a standout performer also in the Regata dei Tre Golfi, completing the race in just over an hour and a half, confirming both the boat's impressive performance and the crew's sharp form.
"It was a fantastic day for us - we managed to win in the Maxi class," said Galateia's tactician Murray Jones. "We had a great start near the committee boat with Lizz Flowers, the daughter of one of the owners, at the helm. She did an excellent job getting us off the line quickly, which gave us a strong opportunity to control the boats around us. We wanted to go left on the beat near the Sorrento shore, and although we allowed a few boats to slip underneath us, we tacked above them at the top mark and they paid the price. We rounded the mark comfortably ahead and could sail our own race from there, stretching out a little on the run. We're very happy with the result - so far so good with both the offshore and this first inshore race. Sorrento is a fantastic place to sail".
However, in corrected time, the day's victory went to Jolt, the Maxi 72 owned by Peter Harrison with Michele Ivaldi on strategy. Galateia placed second, while Bella Mente of Hap Fauth, helmed by America's Cup skipper Terry Hutchinson, rounded out the provisional podium. The same trio currently leads the overall standings after two races, with Jolt in first, followed by Bella Mente and Galateia, though the championship is still wide open.
"Today was the first day in Sorrento with the inshore segment of the championship," said Jolt's strategist Michele Ivaldi. "It was a great start with a fantastic fleet on the line. The course was mostly windward-leeward with a few reaching legs at the end. On Jolt, we had a very good race and climbed to the top of the leaderboard with a strong start. The boat
performed really well upwind. We made some changes over the winter and so far we're happy with them. We have a pretty high rating, so we'll have to see what the next few days bring with different course configurations and true wind speeds. But it's a great way to start. The mood on board is excellent—the trimmers, the guys, the whole crew did a fantastic job.
Peter was in great spirits, really focused and accurate at the helm. I think we really managed to get the best out of the boat. So far so good, we'll see what happens in the next three days".
Among the Multihulls, Gaetana of Riccardo Pavoncelli was the fastest, followed by Highland Fling XVIII and the Swiss-flagged Allegra.
At the end of the day, owners and crews gathered in the Regatta Village at Marina Piccola for the daily prize-giving and the traditional pasta party offered by North Sails, in an atmosphere of hospitality and sporting camaraderie.
Tomorrow's schedule features a second coastal race, with weather forecasts predicting lighter but still southerly winds.
The Tre Golfi Sailing Week 2025 is organized by Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia, in collaboration with Yacht Club Italiano, Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia, IMA, ORC, FIV and UVAI, with the support of Rolex Official Timepiece, Loro Piana, North Sails, Wally Yachts, Banca Patrimoni Sella & C., Ferrarelle, Ottogas, Deloitte, Italia Yachts, Le Axidie, Caffè Borbone, Schenker, Miliare and Consorzio Prosecco DOC.
Find out more at www.tregolfisailingweek.com