69th Three Gulfs Regatta. Here’s how it’s going

The 69th edition of the Three Gulfs Regatta departed from Naples yesterday afternoon. 150 miles among the islands of the three gulfs, passing Ischia, Procida, Zannone, Ponza and Capri. Over 100 boats entered. With 15 miles to go, Magic Carpet 3, the lightest Wally 100 ever built, is leading the race. Right behind Furio Benussi’s ARCA SGR, which was forced to retire last year due to problems with its canting keel, and Bullit, Andrea Recordati’s Wally 100.

Regatta of the Three Gulfs, the great classic among the islands of Campania

The great classic of the Mediterranean sailing scene, sees over 100 entries this year. The 150-mile course starts in Naples, from the Santa Lucia roadstead and then heads west/northwest, passing between Ischia and Procida. Leave Zannone and Ponza to port and the fleet bows in the direction of Capri, which can be left either to port or starboard, to turn around the island of Li Galli, off the Amalfi coast, and then round Punta Campanella (the tip of the Sorrento peninsula). The finish line this year is in Naples, instead of the usual finish line between capri and Sorrento.

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“We are pleased to return to Sorrento for the third edition of the European Maxi Championship, in the waters of the Gulf of Naples“, commented Andrew McIrvine, IMA secretary general. “In past years the competition has been tight, and we expect even greater ardor this year, with an ever-increasing participation in terms of the number of entrants and with the presence for this edition of as many as three 100-footers, and some of the strongest teams on the international scene“.

The regatta is organized by the
Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia of Naples
with the collaboration of the
Yacht Club Italiano of Genoa
, of the
Royal Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia
, the IMA (International Maxi Association), the ORC, UVAI and FIV.

A 3-way challenge

At the head of the Regatta of Three Gulfs at the moment the challenge is tight between Magic Carpet 3 owned by Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, former president and CEO of L’Oreal, Furio Benussi’s ARCA SGR and Andrea Recordati’s Bullit. The first arrivals are expected around noon today.

Thus, Sir Peter Odgen’s record for Jethou, the 77-foot Maxi that last year crossed the finish line in 15 hours, 30 minutes and 1 second with an average speed of 9.7 knots, will remain unbeaten.

Monday is also the European MAXI Championship.

With the long regatta over, after a one-day stop, the 25 Maxis entered in the third edition of the European Championship dedicated to them, organized in collaboration with the International Maxi Association (IMA), will begin the four days of inshore racing (May 20-23), based at the Marina Piccola in Sorrento.

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At the awards ceremony on the 23rd evening, the Rolex Overall Trophy for the new European champion, and the Loro Piana Challenge Trophy for the first place winner in Group 1, among others, will be presented.