La Pericolosa has won the final round of the 2026 Cape 31 Mediterranean Series in Hyères, completing three contrasting days of racing at the head of the 20-boat fleet.
Turkey’s Eker Süzme provided the final-day fireworks, scoring back-to-back race wins in the lighter, shifting easterly to climb to second overall, tied with Stig but taking the runner-up position on countback.
The two races brought the regatta total to eight after conditions ranged from the opening day’s flatter water to Friday’s heavy easterly and steep seas, followed by a lighter final-day breeze.
La Pericolosa Completes Hyères Victory
As Afloat reported after Friday’s racing, La Pericolosa had retained the overall lead despite retiring from race four following a crash at the first windward mark.
The German team responded immediately with a second and a race win, leaving them in control going into the finale.
Front Runner — La Pericolosa leads the Cape 31 fleet in Hyères, where consistency across eight races secured victory in the final round of the 2026 Mediterranean Series. Photo: Sailing Energy
That consistency proved decisive on Saturday as La Pericolosa completed the regatta victory, having led the standings at the end of each of the first two days.
“The crew work is always the best on La Pericolosa. The speed team is fast, so we are fast,” Michele said after the victory.
“It’s a super nice venue, the fleet is super tight, and there are top sailors around — Olympic champions and all the best. This is what we want from the Cape 31: top level, top pros.”
. Winning Formula — La Pericolosa in action on the final day in Hyères, completing a regatta victory after holding the overall lead through three contrasting days of racing. Photo: Sailing Energy
Eker Süzme Signs Off With Double Bullet
Eker Süzme delivered an outstanding final day, winning races seven and eight. The Turkish team had already demonstrated its pace by winning the third race of the regatta on the opening day, and its two closing victories lifted it to second overall.
Eker Süzme’s Sam Gilmour said the result exceeded the team’s expectations going into the final races.
“It was a great day — it couldn’t really have gone any better. We were looking at the results this morning and said we’d be happy if we could move up one or two places, so to come away with second overall, we’re over the moon."
Double Finish — Eker Süzme closed the Cape 31 Mediterranean Series finale in Hyères with back-to-back race wins, lifting the Turkish team to second overall on countback. Photo: Sailing Energy
“It wasn’t our most consistent weekend, but three race wins is a great result and a really good way to head into the Gold Cup. It’s getting harder out there — there are a lot of quick boats, and getting off the start line well is so important.”
Gilmour said the growing fleet should make next month’s inaugural Cape 31 Gold Cup in Saint-Tropez another highly competitive event.
“It’s great to see the fleet growing, and I think the Gold Cup is going to be awesome with 28 boats.”
Chisum Takes Corinthian Honours
Stig completed the Hyères overall podium in third, with Stella Maris fourth and Django fifth.
The Corinthian/1 Pro contest was also decided in the final race after Chisum and Motions began race eight separated by only two points.
Chisum responded with second place across the full fleet to secure the Corinthian/1 Pro victory and 11th overall. The team had also won the opening race of the regatta.
Corinthian Charge — Chisum secured the Corinthian/1 Pro title in Hyères with second place across the full Cape 31 fleet in the deciding final race. Photo: Sailing Energy
Motions finished second in the Corinthian/1 Pro standings, with newcomer Outrage completing the podium.
Across the eight races, six teams recorded victories — Chisum, Stig, Eker Süzme, Give Me Five, Django and La Pericolosa — underlining the depth of competition in the 20-boat fleet.
The Hyères regatta concluded the five-round 2026 Cape 31 Mediterranean Series, with attention now turning to the inaugural Cape 31 Gold Cup in Saint-Tropez from 12-17 October.
