The final round of the 2026 Cape 31 Mediterranean Series delivered its toughest challenge yet on day two in Hyères, with the 20-boat fleet facing a big easterly breeze, steep seas and a punishing race track.
Three races were completed in conditions that tested boats and crews to their limits, with crashes, wipeouts and equipment failures making consistency difficult to achieve.
Overnight leaders La Pericolosa endured the hardest possible start, retiring from race four after a crash at the first windward mark. The team responded immediately, however, scoring second in the next race before taking victory in race six to remain top of the standings after six races.
“We had a crash at the first top mark and had to retire,” said La Pericolosa’s Fabian Gielen. “Then we came back with a second and a first, so pretty good. We had a really strong day yesterday too, but didn’t quite get across the finish line in first. Today we did it, so we’re really happy.”
Finale Charge — The Cape 31 fleet stretches across the Bay of Hyères during a high-speed day two showdown, with La Pericolosa defending its overall lead. Photo: Sailing Energy
Gielen credited the team’s pace and consistency for keeping them ahead in a highly competitive fleet.
“I think we have really good speed. We’re pretty quick, and then the rest is about keeping it simple. Speed is king.”
Django rises as Give Me Five battles damage
Django produced one of the strongest performances of the day, recovering from sixth in race four with a race win and second place to post a 6-1-2 scoreline. The result moved Vittorio Lombardi Stronati’s team into second overall heading into the final day.
“It’s very nice here — very windy, a little like Bonifacio,” said Lombardi Stronati. “We had around 20 knots today, which suited us a bit better, and it was a lot of fun.”
The Italian team has continued to build confidence in the demanding Cape 31 fleet.
“We’re getting a little better, and I feel more confident, but it’s still difficult because the level in the Cape 31 fleet is so high.”
While Django moved up the rankings, Give Me Five produced a dramatic day. The French team won race four and finished third in race five, but later discovered serious rig damage.
White Water Warfare — Cape 31 crews battle through steep seas and heavy breeze as the Hyères finale delivers its toughest conditions of the Mediterranean Series. Photo: Sailing Energy
The team found that the forestay had cut into the mast during the opening race, yet they completed the second race without realising the extent of the problem.
“We had a rigging problem today,” said owner Adrien Follin. “Our forestay cut the mast at the end of the first race, and we sailed the second race without realising how serious the damage was. We’ll do everything we can to repair it in time for the Gold Cup.”
Give Me Five did not start the final race of the day after discovering the damage and will now focus on repairs ahead of next month’s Cape 31 Gold Cup in Saint-Tropez.
Tight battle ahead of final races
Stig, Khumbu and Stella Maris continued to show the consistency required in difficult conditions and remain in contention. With only nine points separating second through eighth place, the fight for the podium remains wide open.
Gielen expects the final day to provide another close contest.
Mast and Muscle — Stig (76) and Gspot (59) power through the steep seas of Hyères as the Cape 31 fleet battles the toughest conditions of the Mediterranean Series finale. Photo: Sailing Energy
“I think it still looks completely open. Stig and Django both look very strong on the racecourse.”
After two contrasting days on the Bay of Hyères, lighter conditions are forecast for the finale, with two races scheduled before the 2026 Cape 31 Mediterranean Series concludes.
La Pericolosa enters the final day with the advantage, but the tightly packed chasing fleet leaves the outcome far from decided.
