Are you in Sardinia? Come to the VELA Cup in Porto Rafael in 3 days!

We are very close to the VELA Cup Porto Rafael – Palau, the first stop in Sardinia in 2025, scheduled for June 27-29. But this year, more than ever before, the event promises to be much more than just a regatta: it will be a true sailing festival, capable of combining sport, cuisine and the discovery of the area in one of the most evocative settings in the Mediterranean. Here is the weekend’s program and what the weather will be like.

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A regatta that puts everyone at the center

At the VELA Cup Porto Rafael, it’s not just the rankings that count. Whether you have a Classic Boat, a modern cruiser, a small dinghy or a Latin Sailboat, you’ll find your space here: the regatta is open to all, with no formalities or barriers, and each crew can choose the category that best suits their spirit, between Sport and Cruising, to truly race on a level playing field with the VELA Cup’s reward system.

The goal? Experience sailing authentically and share a passion for the sea with the freedom to sail among Sardinia’s most beautiful islands. The VELA Cup prizesare for those who go best at sea, but not only that! Lots of prizes offered by our partners will be raffled off during the awards ceremony.

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Boats already registered

The crews that have already decided to participate in the VELA Cup in Porto Rafael – Palau are many, and the registered boats are diverse, among them are Classic Boat, modern boats, very fast racers and cruising boats. Here are some examples.

We start with the Classic Boat “Vèlite 2,” a 1975 Baltic 33, of which owner NicolaFilia says “I am the fourth owner. After careful reffitting the boat participated in the Baltic Rendezvous in 2023 finishing third in its category. The following year 8 place at Formenton and first at the Legionnaires’ Regatta in the Classics. She then arrived Elegant boat 2024 at the Sailing Cup at the Sardinians’ Cala Marina. Launched in 1975 Velite 2 is hull No. 2 of 42. Based at Portisco Marina.”

Scrolling down the entry list we then find modern boats such as Mira, a Grand Soleil 52 LC from 2020 by owner Fortunato Unali, or Edoardo Bulgheroni‘sEryd 30 “Feu Vert II,” a 9-meter from 2015.

What will the weather be like?

Read below the in-depth analysis of the weather that will be at the VELA Cup. It comes straight from expert meteorologist Riccardo Ravagnan of Meteomed, a partner of the VELA Cup.

General synoptic analysis

Northern Sardinia will be affected by a well-structured anticyclonic configuration, with ground pressures around 1017-1018 hPa. A distant Atlantic sac overwestern Europe maintains a slight pressure gradient that favors a northeasterly wind flow aloft, resulting in a breeze regime on the ground.

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Expected wind and local context

During the regatta, the wind will be like this:

The wind will be mainly from the NE, turning slightly from ENE to NNE in the final phase. It is gradually strengthening between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., then tends to drop after 2 p.m. This is a thermal wind of local origin, generated by strong sunshine and favorable orographic conditions (channeling effect between Palau, Spargi and Maddalena).

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Sea, temperatures and pressure

• Sea state: Slightly rough, wave from ONO < 0.5 m. Negligible swell.
• Air temperature: 28.5-29 °C.
• Atmospheric pressure: stable over 1017.6-1017.2 hPa.

Model convergence and reliability

The convergence between models is very high:

• Multimodel meteorograms agree on a stable thermal trend and absence of disturbances.
• The wind on the ground is found to be aligned in the major high-resolution models.
• Agreement > 90% between forecasts for wind direction and intensity between 11 am and 3 pm.

Micrometeorological analysis & mixing

Vertical wind mixing – in simple words

The day of June 28 represents a textbook case of “vertical mixing.” This occurs when:

• Wind aloft (up to 20-25 knots at 800-900 hPa) finds favorable conditions to be carried to the ground.
• Theabsence of thermal inversion and strong solar radiation generate convective turbulence, which “mixes” the atmosphere from bottom to top.

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What does it mean for navigation?

• The wind will be more constant, less prone to unpredictable holes or rotations.
• It increases the probability of having an even race course, with less “local wind play.”

Tactical implications on the race course

LocalContext:
The regatta traverses one of the most complex and striking stretches of the Maddalena Archipelago: from Porto Rafael we sail between Secca Corsara, Spargi, Spargiotto, Cala Francese and the Rada di Mezzo Schifo.

What to expect:

• Venturi effects may be triggered in the channels between the islands, with local wind acceleration.
• The thermal wind from the NE is channeled perfectly along the axis of some islands, and this is a strategic aspect for race participants to discover.

The program of the VELA Cup in Porto Rafael – Palau

Friday, June 27

• 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – VELA Cup Point opening for registration finalization, gift bag and numbers pickup

Saturday, June 28

• 09:30 a.m. Briefing at the Marina of Porto Rafael
• 11:00 a.m. – Starting Procedures VELA Cup Porto Rafael – Palau
• after the regatta – Regatta in the Kitchen with Nieddittas mussels (read below)
• 6:00 p.m. – VELA Cup Porto Rafael Awards Ceremony – Palau and Regatta in the Kitchen
• After the award ceremony – Party and DJ set organized by Aether Porto Rafael

• Sign up for the VELA Cup in Porto Rafael – Palau

Route between emotion and beauty

The course of the VELA Cup Porto Rafael, designed together with sailor Camillo Zucconi, is designed to amaze: starting in front of the Marina of Porto Rafael, then heading for the crystal clear waters of the Rada di Mezzo Schifo, the islands of Spargi and Spargiotto, and finally the return to the harbor amidst breathtaking views and always generous wind. A regatta that is also a journey among unspoiled nature, sculpted rocks and dreamy bays, where every edge is a postcard.

Hospitality and services: you are at home here

By registering for the VELA Cup Porto Rafael, you are entitled to two nights free mooring in the modern Marina (subject to availability) of Porto Rafael, with all the amenities to enjoy Sardinia even ashore. And there are no shortage of surprises: welcome kit (gift bag) for all crews, dedicated services, restaurant and sea view lounge to relax on days when there is no regatta.

The party continues at the dock

The VELA Cup does not stop at sea: after the regatta, the dock comes alive with the “Regatta in Cucina,” the culinary challenge between crews based on Nieddittas mussels. And after the Regatta in the Kitchen there is the big VELA Cup awards ceremony, with prizes for first in class, for classic boats, for lateen sails and for those who bring on board at least one “Caprerino,” with a ranking dedicated to alumni of the Caprera Sailing Center. Plus lots of raffle prizes, because here you win just by participating. And finally, the VELA Cup evening continues, and will be enlivened by the DJ set signed Aether Porto Rafael until late at night.

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The other unmissable stages of the VELA Cup 2025

(click on the stage name for all the info and to sign up)

VELA Cup Sardinia/2

Wednesday, August 20 / Friday, August 22 (regatta: Thursday, August 21)
Gulf of Cugnana / Porto Rotondo, Marina Cala dei Sardi

VELA Cup Procida

Friday, September 26 / Sunday, September 28 (regatta: Saturday, September 27)
Island of Procida, Marina di Procida

VELA Cup Sicily

Friday, October 3 / Sunday, October 5 (regatta: Saturday, October 4)
Capo d’Orlando/Eolie, Capo d’Orlando Marina