The 2026 ORC World Championship concluded in challenging conditions off Sorrento, with new world champions crowned across four classes. Strong westerly winds of 15 to 17 knots, gusting to 25 knots, and seas up to two metres tested crews during the final inshore races on Thursday.
The championship was organised by Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia alongside Yacht Club Italiano and Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia.
In Class 0, the American TP52 Summer Storm secured the world title after a dominant week that included five race wins. Owned by Andrew Berdon and sailed with Volvo Ocean Race veteran Stu Bannatyne and tactician Joachim Aschenbrenner, the team held off Vudu and RocketNikka in the final standings.
Django WR delivered the strongest final-day performance with two race victories. “It is an incredible satisfaction,” said Summer Storm owner Andrew Berdon. “We knew that, to win the title, we would have to sail flawlessly. The racing was so close and intense that it felt like a true one-design regatta.”
Storm Surge: Ran (with Cork's Justin Slattery on board) powers through heavy seas off Sorrento on the way to the ORC Class 0 world title. Photo: Studio Borlenghi
Swiss entry Night Shadow topped the Corinthian division in Class 0.
In Class A, Niklas Zennström’s Carkeek 40+ Rán successfully defended its ORC world title after another consistent week on the water with Cork's Justin Slattery on the strength.
Italy’s Lisa R finished second, while Selene – Alifax completed the podium places. “The ORC World Championship in Sorrento has been simply fantastic,” said Zennström. “We arrived as defending champions and knew retaining the title would be extremely difficult.”
The American yacht Lagertha claimed Corinthian honours in Class A.
Argentina’s Katara won the Class B world title after taking two victories on the final day of racing. The PG390, owned by Julian Somodi, finished ahead of Malta’s Technonicol and Italy’s WB IX. “Winning an ORC World Championship is something truly extraordinary,” Somodi said. “It is the achievement every sailor dreams of.”
Flag Finish: Katara’s Argentine crew celebrate their ORC Class B World Championship win at the Sorrento prize-giving. Photo: Studio Borlenghi
Italy’s Athyris & C secured the Corinthian title in Class B.
In Class C, Robe da Mat claimed the world title after winning both races on the final day. The MAT-11 entry, owned by Luigi Buzzi and skippered by Joan Navarro Guiu, finished ahead of Chisum and Sease. “We are naturally absolutely delighted with this victory,” said helmsman Peter Buhl and skipper Joan Navarro Guiu. “Winning my first World Championship title is immensely satisfying.”
Lady Day 998 was the leading Corinthian entry in Class C.
The championship concluded with the prize-giving ceremony at Marina Piccola in Sorrento. Organisers said the event again highlighted the Gulf of Naples as one of the leading offshore and inshore racing venues on the international calendar.
The next ORC World Championship will take place in Copenhagen in August 2027. Before then, the ORC European Championship is scheduled for Klaipeda, Lithuania, later this summer.
