Next year will see the 68th edition of a spectacular Mediterranean regatta with even more spectacular race courses...
The quest for the perfect race week experience is not easy. Where can you find in only one week the challenge of navigation and seamanship that comes with distance racing and the thrill of boat-on-boat action in competitive inshore racing? Tre Golfi Sailing Week held over 13-20 May 2023 may be the answer to this quest.
Nearly 140 entries from more than a dozen nations participated in 2022 for the 67th edition of the race, a growth trend that validates the attractive qualities of this increasingly international event. This is a regatta with competent and professional event and race management, easy logistics, a location known for its scenery, pleasant weather and agreeable ambience, numerous social events to entertain the teams when not racing, and a position in the yachting calendar that fits well in the season of Mediterranean sailing events. Championship trophies and Rolex watches as prizes are also a nice feature.
Below: the Maxi European Championship is the top prize at Tre Golfi Saiing Week. It is currently held by the Wally 77 Lyra whose owner Terry Hui is seen here receiving his Rolex watch from event sponsor Stefan Muller of Rolex Italia
Similar to this year, next year’s 68th edition will draw on the organiser’s rich heritage of hosting competitive and popular regattas that are inclusive of a wide variety of participants, from maxi yachts to double-handers. This will also include classic yachts, ORC and IRC racing yachts, and multihulls in what becomes an international festival of sail, assembled in Naples.
The racing format of the week starts with the overnight Tre Golfi Race, named for the three bodies of water on the racecourse: the bays of Naples, Salerno, and Gaeta. The course length varies by class, with multihulls racing 205 miles, maxis and ORC entries 155 miles and classic yachts racing 80 miles. The start is being planned for the early afternoon while there is still wind from the day’s thermal breezes, and teams are then challenged with using this headstart to transition into the night breezes found along this scenic coast.
Of course there are exceptions to this pattern when strong synoptic winds can propel the teams around the course, which is yet another facet in the challenges of offshore sailing. Regardless of conditions, participants will have the satisfaction of completing a course that is both a challenge and fun at the same time.
Following the arrival of the long distance race off Capri, the fleet moves to the southern side of the bay to beautiful Sorrento. Here the peninsula generates its own perfect sea breeze for the continuation of inshore racing for the remainder of the week.
And while not racing, participants can enjoy a wide variety of social events on the programme. In Naples, the host facilities are at the Circolo Remo e Vela Italia, one of the oldest sailing clubs in Italy. The CRV Italia has a historic clubhouse close to an ancient castle, where opening ceremonies and pasta parties are held for skippers and crews.
For those who want to wander further afield, Naples itself offers a rich history and cultural heritage appropriate for one of Europe’s great cities, located in the shadow of Mount Vesivius. Not far from CRV Italia there are innumerable tourism options available for sailors, their families and friends.
Sorrento also offers wonderful ambience as an ancient seaside town perched on cliffs above the marinas and beaches below, with sweeping views of the bay. It is a perfect location for social events affiliated with the event, such as crew parties and awards ceremonies held in beautiful piazzas in the nearby villages and towns, and owner receptions located in luxurious hotels and restaurants (Sorrento has one of the highest concentration of Michelin-starred chefs in the world, with 16 located on the peninsula).
There are numerous prestigious trophies awarded during the Tre Golfi Sailing Week events, with many famous and historic names inscribed on them from the past seven decades of racing. Besides the Tre Golfi Race itself, other big titles will be the IMA’s Maxi European Championship, the ORC Mediterranean Championship - revived recently as one of the most competitive ORC championship events – and the Italian Tyrrehnian National Championship.
Besides all the other attractive features of competing here, and the possibility of winning a Rolex trophy for one of these title championships, just having the opportunity to add your boat to this list of legends should be a motivating factor to consider marking 13-20 May 2023 on your calendar to join us next year in Naples and Sorrento.
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