Capri Coastal Race Shakes Up ORC Worlds Standings

14th May 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Capri Course — The ORC World Championship fleet races under brooding skies during the coastal race around Capri, a key test before the final day in Sorrento Credit: Studio Borlenghi

The ORC World Championship fleet tackled a demanding coastal race around Capri on day three of racing in the Gulf of Naples. Variable breeze, rain showers and tactical route choices reshaped the leaderboard ahead of the final day in Sorrento.

The championship, running from 7 to 14 May, featured separate starts for the four classes, with courses ranging from 19 to 25 nautical miles.

Classes 0 and A raced further offshore, while Classes B and C started closer to Sorrento before all fleets rounded Capri to port. Rain and unstable breeze greeted crews before steadier winds of around 10 knots settled across the course.

Blue Moon and Vithas Urbania pass Capri’s lighthouse during the ORC Worlds coastal race. Photo: Studio Borlenghi

In Class 0, Italy’s Vudu, helmed by Mauro Gestri, took line honours after two general recalls delayed the start. The wallyrocket51 RocketNikka of Roberto Lacorte finished second, ahead of American entry Final Final skippered by Jon Desmond. Despite Vudu’s win, Summer Storm of Andrew Berdon continues to lead the overall standings ahead of RocketNikka and Vudu.

Sweden’s Ran, owned by Niklas Zennström, claimed victory in Class A and extended its overall lead. “It was a very positive day for us,” said Fabio De Simoni, trimmer aboard Lisa R. “The upwind leg to Capri was challenging, with 9–11 knots and a choppy sea, but by choosing the left side of the course, we gained a lot.”

The ORC fleet rounds Capri’s Faraglioni rocks during a dramatic coastal race off Sorrento. Photo: Studio Borlenghi

In Class B, Mascalzone Latino of Vincenzo Onorato secured victory ahead of Argentina’s Katara and the Dutch Flying Dolphin Too. “It was a very difficult race, with rough sea and crossed waves,” said Onorato. “For tomorrow, we’ll see – everything is still to play for.”

Italy’s Chisum topped Class C after a tactical race around the island. “A very tricky start, with the wind dropping just minutes before the gun,” said Robe da Mat helmsman Peter Buhl.

The championship concludes on Friday with two final windward-leeward races scheduled off Sorrento. Teams will also be allowed to discard their worst inshore result after the day's opening race.

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