Irish superyacht sailors were key to Galateia’s narrow victory in the 2025 Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge after late drama in Saint-Tropez.
Cork sailors Justin Slattery, Nin O’Leary and Edwin O’Connor, Wicklow’s Simon Johnson and West Cork-based Rory and Kelvin Harrap were among the team on the 100ft Galateia.
The yacht is co-owned by David M Leuschen and Chris Flowers.
The series ended at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, where Galateia secured the title by 2.3% over Wallycento V. Capricorno placed third. The win ended a run of victories by Benoît de Froidmont’s Wallyño.
Galateia’s championship-winning maxi team, pictured with skippers David M Leuschen and Chris Flowers, includes the full crew featuring Ireland's Cork sailors Justin Slattery, Nin O’Leary, and Edwin O’Connor, Wicklow’s Simon Johnson, and West Cork-based Rory and Kelvin Harrap. Photo: Studio Borlenghi
Galateia competed in four of the five events in the series. The team gained a decisive lead in September when they were crowned Rolex IMA Maxi 1 World Champion at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup.
Left to right: IMA Secretary General Andrew McIrvine with Galateia's owner David M Leuschen and Chris Flowers and daughter and keen helm Lizz Flowers. Photo: IMA / Studio Borlenghi. Below: Chris and Lizz Flowers with the IMA MMIC trophy. Photo: IMA.
Their campaign almost came undone in Saint-Tropez after a start-line collision with Capricorno and a race committee boat. A one-metre hull repair was completed in La Ciotat before racing resumed.
“It was heartbreaking what happened on the first day,” said tactician Kelvin Harrap. “We’ve got some really key people in the team who did an amazing job to get the hole fixed.”
Harrap said both Galateia and rival V had “good regattas and bad regattas” and continue to push each other. The team credited Capricorno’s crew for their support after the incident.
Launched in 2015, Galateia is campaigned in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Flowers’ daughter Lizz has recently taken the helm at some events.
The team made performance upgrades after their Caribbean season, including interceptor fittings, water ballast adjustments and sail optimisation.
Galateia is scheduled to race three Caribbean regattas in early 2026 before returning to Europe to defend the title.
