Cape 31 Mediterranean Circuit Round 4 in Scarlino - Preview
by Tor Tomlinson Cheney 9 Jul 10:42 BST
11-12 July 2026
Cape 31 Mediterranean Circuit Round 3 in Bonifacio © Sailing Energy
Three regattas. Three different winners. Just one point separates the top two in the championship.
As the Cape 31 Mediterranean Circuit arrives in Scarlino this weekend for Round 4, the battle for the 2026 title is more open than ever, with a season-high 17 international teams preparing to take to the water.
After victories for Stig in Porto Cervo, Hatari in Puntaldia and Stella Maris in Bonifacio, no single team has managed to dominate the circuit. Instead, consistency has become the defining factor, setting up a fascinating championship battle as the fleet enters the second half of the season.
Alessandro Rombelli's Stig arrives in Tuscany leading the overall standings on nine points, just one point ahead of Michael Wilson's Shotgunn. Bonifacio winners Stella Maris have climbed to third overall after their victory in Corsica, while Richard Thompson's Black Seal 2, Christian Schwoerer's La Pericolosa, Vittorio Lombardi Stronati's Django and Ahmet Eker's Eker Süzme all remain firmly within striking distance.
Adding another twist to the championship, Stella Maris owner August Schram is unable to compete this weekend, with regular crew member Carla Waltersdorfer stepping into the helm. After claiming their first Mediterranean Circuit victory in Bonifacio, it will be fascinating to see whether the Austrian team can maintain their momentum with the same experienced crew around a new helm.
The fleet continues to grow, with three new teams making their first appearances of the 2026 season. Terrible Joy, helmed by Loïc Pompee, joins the circuit alongside Chisum, led by Andrea Castrucci, and Milkwave. Both Chisum and Milkwave arrive in Scarlino on the back of impressive performances on the Mediterranean handicap racing circuit and will be looking to make an immediate impression in one-design competition.
The return of Marcus Brennecke's Hatari, winners on debut in Puntaldia, adds another proven race-winning team back into the fleet after missing Bonifacio, while Kalantis will be looking to convert their race-winning pace into an overall podium finish.
Seventeen teams representing Monaco, Great Britain, Germany, Turkey, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Hungary and Poland will line up in Scarlino, reflecting the continued growth of the Cape 31 Mediterranean Circuit and the increasing appeal of close, owner-driver one-design racing.
Alongside the close championship battle, the fleet is looking forward to its first visit to Marina di Scarlino and the warm hospitality of Ettore Mattiello and Yacht Club Toscana, who will host the fleet throughout the weekend.
Ettore Mattiello, Yacht Club Toscana said, "We are truly delighted to welcome the Cape 31 fleet to Marina di Scarlino for the very first time. Hosting one of the most spectacular and competitive one-design classes is a great privilege for Yacht Club Toscana and for everyone involved in organising this event. The level of competition in the Cape 31 Mediterranean Circuit is extremely high, and we are looking forward to another weekend of close, exciting racing on what is widely recognised as one of the finest racing venues in the Mediterranean. We also hope that all the crews will enjoy our warm hospitality."
Tor Tomlinson Cheney, Mediterranean Class Manager said: "One of the things that's made this season so exciting is that every regatta has told a different story. We've had three different winners, incredibly close championship standings and new teams joining almost every event. The level of competition keeps getting stronger, and that's exactly what we hoped to build when we launched the Mediterranean Circuit.
"Welcoming three new teams to Scarlino and seeing 17 boats on the start line is a real milestone for the class. It's fantastic to see so many owners committing to the circuit we've worked hard to build up, and with the championship getting so close, every race this weekend is going to matter."
Full 2026 Mediterranean Circuit standings: cms.cape31class.com/racing/series/12
Racing gets under way on Friday at Marina di Scarlino as the fight for the 2026 Cape 31 Mediterranean Circuit title heats up.
2026 Cape 31 Mediterranean Circuit Calendar:
Round 1 — Porto Cervo, Italy
Round 2 — Puntaldia, Italy
Round 3 — Bonifacio, France
Round 4 — Scarlino, Italy | 10-12 July
Round 5 — Hyères, France | 24-26 September