Italy’s Andrea Rossi and his Mela crew have won the 2026 RS21 World Championship in Cannes, France, following four days of closely contested racing from 28 to 31 October.
The Yacht Club de Cannes hosted a fleet described by organisers as 40 teams from 13 nations, with light winds putting a premium on tactics. The title remained open until the final day.
Rossi’s Mela (ITA 241) finished four points ahead of Torpyone (ITA 239), skippered by Edoardo Lupi and featuring America’s Cup sailor Francesco “Checco” Bruni. Defending champions Les Freaks (HKG 295), skippered by Marco Pocci, finished third.
Podium Honours: Andrea Rossi's Mela crew lift the RS21 World Championship trophy in Cannes after defeating Edoardo Lupi's Torpyone by four points, with defending champions Les Freaks third. Photo: Code Zero Digital
The result follows Afloat’s pre-championship report on the leading contenders and its earlier Cannes championship preview.
America’s Cup Talent Joins Competitive RS21 Fleet
Italian offshore sailor Furio Benussi, a multiple Barcolana winner, returned to one-design racing aboard Frecciablu (ITA 293). “It’s a great pleasure being back on a one-design boat after so many years,” he said. “I’m re-learning to sail closer to the water, where nobody gives you anything.”
Benussi compared the RS21’s responsiveness to a dinghy: “You tack and gybe as if they were dinghies. Every centimetre counts.”
Bruni, who recently announced a move from Luna Rossa to Tudor Team Alinghi, made his RS21 World Championship debut as tactician aboard Torpyone. “It’s a really fun boat. It’s really reactive, and I like it very much,” he said.
America's Cup Connection: Francesco 'Checco' Bruni joined Edoardo Lupi's Torpyone as tactician for the RS21 Worlds, helping the Italian team finish runners-up, just four points behind the champions. Photo: Code Zero Digital
Paolo Cordiglia’s Frida Racing (ITA 330), featuring 2024 world champion crew member Niccolo Bianchi, led earlier in the championship before finishing fourth. “Last year I wanted to stop after finishing last at the first Italian Cup event. One year later we’re here,” Cordiglia said.
Greek Team Claims Corinthian World Title
Greece’s George Chryssikos, who returned to sailing after a 30-year absence, skippered Grivalia (GRE 359) to the Corinthian title only six months after discovering the RS21.
“I saw this boat for the first time back in May and immediately fell in love with the RS21,” he said. “This is the reason I came back to sailing. I hadn’t sailed for 30 years.”
Greek Breakthrough: George Chryssikos and his Grivalia crew won the Corinthian world title just six months after he discovered the RS21, reflecting the class's rapid expansion to 20 boats in Greece. Photo: Code Zero Digital
Working with the Yacht Club of Greece, Chryssikos helped launch the Hellenic Sailing League, which has grown to 20 RS21 boats and more than 100 sailors in its first season. His crew included two sailors in their 50s and two in their 20s. “It’s really nice that we’re mixing two generations of sailors,” he said.
Women’s and Youth Titles Decided
Italy’s Magique et Terrible (ITA 230), skippered by Malika Bellomi, successfully defended the Women’s title and finished third in Corinthian. France’s RS France (FRA 222), skippered by Charles Trolard, took second in Corinthian and won the Under-23 title.
Women's World Champions: Malika Bellomi's Italian crew aboard Magique et Terrible successfully defended their women's title in Cannes while also securing third place in the Corinthian division. Photo: Code Zero Digital
The championship’s shoreside programme included social gatherings and a rooftop prize-giving overlooking the Bay of Cannes.
RS21 Class Plans Expanded 2027 Calendar
RS21 International Class Manager Liam Willis outlined national racing circuits in Italy, Canada, Greece, the UK and Ireland, together with a new Dutch series starting in March 2027. Greek dealer Babis Charalampolos was recognised for helping develop a 20-boat fleet in Greece within a year.
The next major international event will be the European Championship in Scarlino, Italy, before the 2027 World Championship moves to Weymouth, the event's first UK staging.
RS Sailing Managing Director Alex Newton Southon said: “Weymouth is the National Sailing Centre and Olympic venue for a reason. It delivers fantastic racing in the bay, and the inner harbour provides another world-class racecourse when conditions demand it.”
