Sardinia Team Race Worlds: U25 RS Aero European Team Racing Championship in Cagliari - Day 1
by Elena Giolai 6 Nov 20:16 GMT
6-8 November 2026
Sardinia Team Race Worlds: U25 RS Aero European Team Racing Championship in Cagliari -Day 1 © Elena Giolai
Sunshine and good breeze in Cagliari for the U25 RS Aero European Team Racing Championship. Both Italian teams complete the opening round robin undefeated, with defending champion Monaco and Lithuania among the leading contenders.
Sunshine, good wind conditions and a full schedule of matches marked the opening day of the U25 RS Aero European Team Racing Championship in the waters of Su Siccu, Cagliari. The event is the second part of the Sardinia Team Race World Championship 2026, following last weekend's OpenSkiff Team Racing World Championship. Organised by Lega Navale Italiana del Sulcis in collaboration with Società Canottieri Ichnusa, with the recognition of the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV) and the support of the Sardinia Regional Government's Tourism Department, the championship celebrates its fifth consecutive edition with a record 13 teams representing 11 nations, the largest entry since the event began. The competition features mixed teams of two Under 25 sailors, one male and one female, each helming an RS Aero dinghy. Racing takes place in a two-on-two team racing format, where boat handling, tactical decisions and cooperation between teammates are crucial to success.
Both Italian teams made an impressive start, winning every match in their respective groups during the opening round robin. In Group A, Italy 1, represented by Davide Mulas and Alice Sussarello, topped the standings with five wins from five matches. Defending European champion Monaco, with Riccardo Hai Gessa and Chiara Sussarello, follows in second place with four victories. Romania, represented by Angelo Manconi and Elena Telisca, holds third place with three wins, ahead of Hungary, with Marco Bachis and Liliana Fresi Juhadz, on one victory.
In Group B, Italy 2, with Riccardo Serra and Anita Marullo, also completed a perfect opening round robin, winning all six matches. Lithuania 1, represented by Nojus Volungevicius and Ruta Mažunaviciute, is close behind with five victories, followed by Belgium, with Maxim Brijssinck and Anouck De Ripainsel, on four wins. The Netherlands, represented by Max van Schagen and Noa Viool, currently sits fourth with three victories. The opening results set the stage for an exciting battle as Monaco aims to defend its European title, with strong competition from Italy, Lithuania and the other international teams. The day also featured a special sight on the water: Luna Rossa's AC40, returning from a training session, passed close to the racecourse during several matches. A striking encounter between the next generation of team racing sailors and the world of the America's Cup, against the backdrop of Cagliari's Su Siccu waterfront.
Racing continues on Saturday and concludes on Sunday, 8 November, when the European title will be decided.
Competing teams, BIB Colours and Sailors
Group A
- Dark Blue | ITA1, Italy 1: Davide Mulas and Alice Sussarello
- Purple | LTU2, Lithuania 2: Mykolas Leipus and Rimgaile Kregždyte
- Light Blue Stripes | ROM, Romania: Angelo Manconi and Elena Telisca
- Green Stripes | MON, Principality of Monaco: Riccardo Hai Gessa and Chiara Sussarello
- Fluorescent Yellow | HUN, Hungary: Marco Bachis and Liliana Fresi Juhadz
- White | POL, Poland: Oskar Haman and Julia Jablonowska-Wlizlo
Group B
- Red | ITA2, Italy 2: Riccardo Serra and Anita Marullo
- Light Green | LTU1, Lithuania 1: Nojus Volungevicius and Ruta Mažunaviciute
- Orange | NED, Netherlands: Max van Schagen and Noa Viool
- Light Blue | BEL, Belgium: Maxim Brijssinck and Anouck De Ripainsel
- Pink | ARG, Argentina: Alex Velez and Vittoria Massa
- Black | UKR, Ukraine: Stanislav Buhera and Lidia Farci
- Dark Green | BRA, Brazil: Gabriel Aisoni Santos and Vanessa Giorgi
Results and standings