Following the offshore race of the 71st Regata dei Tre Golfi, the ORC World Championship 2026 entered its inshore phase today, with an intense and technically challenging opening day in the waters of the Gulf of Naples.

Organised by the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia, in collaboration with the Yacht Club Italiano (Genoa) and the Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia, in conjunction with the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC), and supported by Rolex and Loro Piana, the championship once again confirms its status as a premier event on the international sailing calendar.

The fleet was split across two race areas: one further inside the Gulf, off Meta di Sorrento, and the other off Sorrento. On the latter, Classes 0 and A competed, with two separate starts at 12:05 and 12:20.

The day’s format featured a windward-leeward course (two upwinds and two downwinds), with the windward mark positioned to the south-west. Both races proved highly competitive, with stable wind direction but fluctuating intensity.

In Class 0, the TP52 fleet once again took center stage, with Summer Storm of Andrew Berdon winning the race and consolidating the overall lead after two races (offshore and inshore). Second place went to the Australian Vudu of Mauro Gestri, runner-up both today and in the offshore race, and therefore second overall. Third in today’s race was the American Pac52 Final Final of Jon Desmond.

“It was a very tricky race, with unstable wind and a lot of changes,” commented Michele Regolo, tactician of Vudu. “All the boats were very similar in performance, so every decision made a difference. We didn’t have the best start, but we managed to recover with a strong downwind leg and defend second place. It’s going to be a battle all the way to the end.”

In Class A, victory went to the British Ran, the Carkeek 40+ of Niklas Zennström, followed by the Swedish GP42 Garm 24 of Roman Per, and third place for the Botin 44 Interlodge 44 of Fragomen Gwen & Austin.

“It was a positive day for us,” said Alberto Bolzan. “Conditions were tricky, but the Race Committee did a good job managing the course. We sailed a solid race and the team performed very well. It’s only the beginning of the series, but it’s important to start strong.”

Racing proved more complex on the course for Classes B and C. The first race for Class B, which started shortly after those on the other course, was quickly abandoned before Class C could begin its starting sequence. After 15:00, the Race Committee, chaired by Stuart Childerley, sent the larger fleets ashore and proceeded with a race for the smaller boats.

In Class B, victory went to the Farr 40 Mascalzone Latino of Vincenzo Onorato, with Matteo Savelli on tactics, ahead of the X-41 Sideracordis of Pier Vettor Grimaldi and To Be, the Italia Yachts of Stefano Rusconi, winner of the offshore race and now overall leader after two races.

In Class C, the Cape 31 Chisum of Andrea Castrucci took the win, followed by the Spanish Salona 37 of Asociación Deportiva Canaleta and the Mat 11 Robe da Mat of Luigi Buzzi.

For tomorrow, the Race Committee aims to complete up to three windward-leeward races for all fleets, with the first start scheduled at 12:00, taking advantage of the forecasted favorable conditions. Wednesday will feature the coastal race around the island of Capri.

The regatta is supported by Rolex and Loro Piana, alongside North Sails, Wally Yachts, Deloitte, Ferrarelle, Ottogas, Garmin, Banca Patrimoni Sella & C., Caffè Borbone and Azimut Investimenti.