French Skippers Dominate First Stop of European Match Race Tour 2025 in Naples
NAPLES, Italy – The prestigious European Match Race Tour (EMRT) set sail for its 2025 season with a spectacular opening stop in the iconic Gulf of Naples, a venue already buzzing with anticipation as it prepares to host the America's Cup in 2027. After three days of intense and highly tactical match racing, French sailors from the esteemed Société des Régates d’Antibes claimed the top two spots on the podium and secured their qualification for the 2025 Final, where the European Match Race Tour Champion will be crowned.
Ange Delerce and his team SR Antibes (Julia D’ Amodio, Thomas Flachon and Sylvestre De Giuli Morghen) emerged victorious, in a tight fought final to clinch the coveted trophy. He was closely followed by his compatriot and clubmate, Timothée Rossi and the Sudistes Sailing Team (Ilan Vedel, Benjamin Pajasco and Baptiste Clamer), who secured a strong second-place finish, underscoring a dominant performance by the French contingent.
The local crowd had much to cheer for as well, with Italian match racing legend Paolo Cian, a celebrated champion and standout figure in the discipline, skillfully guiding his team (Pierluigi Fornelli, Fabio Montefusco and Margherita Porro) representing the Guardia di Finanza to a well-deserved third place. Cian's presence added a touch of local heroism and world-class experience to the event.
The Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia meticulously organized this inaugural stage of the EMRT. The Tour serves as a crucial platform for some of the most promising and talented skippers on the European match racing scene. The regattas featured thrilling head-to-head duels, a hallmark of match race sailing, where strategy, boat handling, and nerve are tested to the extreme.
A diverse array of teams participated, highlighting the international appeal of the European Match Race Tour. Alongside the host club, Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia, other notable entries included fellow Italian teams from Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia and Club Velico Crotone. The international roster was further bolstered by the Cigarran Sailing Team from Spain, Dimitris Sofitsis and his Black Drop team, and a team from the prestigious Yacht Club of Greece, all bringing their competitive spirit to the Neapolitan waters.
This Neapolitan triumph for Delerce marks the beginning of a competitive European tour. The EMRT will continue its journey across the continent with the following schedule:
FINAL STANDINGS EMRT Naples:
NAPLES, Italy – The prestigious European Match Race Tour (EMRT) set sail for its 2025 season with a spectacular opening stop in the iconic Gulf of Naples, a venue already buzzing with anticipation as it prepares to host the America's Cup in 2027. After three days of intense and highly tactical match racing, French sailors from the esteemed Société des Régates d’Antibes claimed the top two spots on the podium and secured their qualification for the 2025 Final, where the European Match Race Tour Champion will be crowned.
Ange Delerce and his team SR Antibes (Julia D’ Amodio, Thomas Flachon and Sylvestre De Giuli Morghen) emerged victorious, in a tight fought final to clinch the coveted trophy. He was closely followed by his compatriot and clubmate, Timothée Rossi and the Sudistes Sailing Team (Ilan Vedel, Benjamin Pajasco and Baptiste Clamer), who secured a strong second-place finish, underscoring a dominant performance by the French contingent.
The local crowd had much to cheer for as well, with Italian match racing legend Paolo Cian, a celebrated champion and standout figure in the discipline, skillfully guiding his team (Pierluigi Fornelli, Fabio Montefusco and Margherita Porro) representing the Guardia di Finanza to a well-deserved third place. Cian's presence added a touch of local heroism and world-class experience to the event.
The Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia meticulously organized this inaugural stage of the EMRT. The Tour serves as a crucial platform for some of the most promising and talented skippers on the European match racing scene. The regattas featured thrilling head-to-head duels, a hallmark of match race sailing, where strategy, boat handling, and nerve are tested to the extreme.
A diverse array of teams participated, highlighting the international appeal of the European Match Race Tour. Alongside the host club, Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia, other notable entries included fellow Italian teams from Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia and Club Velico Crotone. The international roster was further bolstered by the Cigarran Sailing Team from Spain, Dimitris Sofitsis and his Black Drop team, and a team from the prestigious Yacht Club of Greece, all bringing their competitive spirit to the Neapolitan waters.
This Neapolitan triumph for Delerce marks the beginning of a competitive European tour. The EMRT will continue its journey across the continent with the following schedule:
- Balčhik, Bulgaria: June 26th - 29th
- Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia: August 27th - 30th
- Datça, Turkey: September 25th - 28th
- Limassol, Cyprus: November 13rd - 16th
FINAL STANDINGS EMRT Naples:
- Ange Delerce - FRA
- Timothée Rossi - FRA
- Paolo Cian - ITA
- Demetrio Sposato - ITA
- Federico Cattaneo - ITA
- Dimitris Sofitsis - GRE
- José Cigarran - ESP
- Romylos Politopoulos - GRE
- Antonio Braucci - ITA
- Alessandro Di Maggio - ITA
Callery to the photos of the event:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/o8kinEBGJjZRGSJZ6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/o8kinEBGJjZRGSJZ6