The 2026 IMA Maxi European Championship will return to Naples and Sorrento next week with a fleet of 27 maxi yachts competing across offshore and inshore racing. Organised by the International Maxi Association and Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia, the championship forms part of the wider Tre Golfi Sailing Week programme.
Racing begins on 22 May with a 150-nautical-mile overnight offshore race from Naples. The course will take the fleet around Ponza, Capri and the Li Galli islands before returning to the finish off Naples.
The regatta then moves to Sorrento from 25-28 May for four days of windward-leeward and coastal racing under Principal Race Officer Stuart Childerley.
The fleet ranges from Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones’ 100ft Magic Carpet e to Giuseppe Puttini’s Swan 65 Shirlaf, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this season. Several new entries join the championship this year, including Marcos Vivian’s Wally 94 Astra 1 and the Swan 90 Hummingbird. Franz Baruffaldi Preis and Silvia De’Longhi return with the JV62 Manticore, formerly raced as Jethou and Whisper.
Defending Maxi Grand Prix champion Bella Mente returns after winning the title for the past two years. The 74-footer arrives in Italy following overall victory at the North Sound Regatta in March. “It’s going to be an exciting regatta because all the fleet has made modifications, including Bella Mente, since the Maxi Worlds,” said tactician Terry Hutchinson.
Prize Return: Hap Fauth and Terry Hutchinson receive the 2025 IMA Maxi European Championship winners’ prizes.
“As always, it’s going to be a competitive regatta. The first goal is for us to learn about our boat against the fleet and all the changes.”
Across the fleet, teams have spent the winter refining appendages, ballast systems and sail plans ahead of the Mediterranean season. Peter Harrison’s Jolt has undergone major rating changes after removing its trim tab, while George Sakellaris’ Proteus now features twin rudders following extensive upgrades.
Giovanni Lombardi Stronati’s Django 7X also arrives as one of the favourites after winning both the Rolex IMA Maxi Grand Prix Worlds and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez in 2025.
In Maxi 1, close competition is expected among the five 100-footers, including Magic Carpet e, Leopard 3, V and Galateia. “Everyone is developing sails and appendages and interceptors,” said Galateia helm coach Kelvin Harrap. “There’ll be a few surprises.”
Naples Charge: Galateia and the maxi fleet race off Naples during Tre Golfi Sailing Week. Photo: Studio Borlenghi
The Maxi 3 and Maxi 4 divisions are also expected to deliver tight racing, with former class winners Kallima, Yoru, Fra Diavolo and H20 all returning to the event.
Grand Prix Push: Fra Diavolo and Kallima compete in close company at the 2025 IMA Maxi Europeans. Photo: Studio Borlenghi
Romain Mouchel, tactician aboard Kallima, said the team had introduced new jib locks, sails and a revised forestay system over the winter. “It’s a great event which we’ve done well at,” Mouchel said. “Paul Berger really likes the 24-hour offshore race followed by four days of inshore racing.”
The championship is supported by Loro Piana and Rolex and remains one of the leading events on the international maxi yacht calendar.
