A sea of colour and competition lined the docks at Porto Rotondo Yacht Club, 24th – 27th September, as 49 RS21 keelboats assembled for the 2025 RS21 World Championship. The sparkling fleet, with their dramatic rainbow of bow colours, stood rigged and ready, for four days of world-class racing – and the event delivered on every front.
Now in its fourth edition, the RS21 Worlds proved once again why it’s the pinnacle of one-design keelboat sailing. 200+ sailors faced big waves, gusty winds, and a constantly shifting leaderboard that made for an unforgettable regatta. Tight duels, daring manoeuvres, and nail-biting mark roundings kept crews on edge from start to finish.
“The event was a true test of skill, strategy, and endurance – on a really good racecourse,” said RS21 International Class Manager, Liam Willis. “It was gusty, shifty, and a real challenge to stay in the breeze – that was the key. We had two breezy days, and two light days, and the race management team did a fantastic job keeping the fleet on their toes.”
The intensity on the water was relentless.
“I don’t think there was a single mark rounding all week without at least three boats fighting for the inside line,” Liam continued. “The smallest of mistakes or distance lost could make a huge difference to your position – every metre counted. Even the finishes were dramatic, with so many boats overlapping on the line. It was unbelievably close racing.”
Looking at the results, the high scores tell the story: even teams that scored bullets (first place finishes) also found themselves down in the 20s in other races. No one dominated outright. The fleet’s parity was what made this edition stand out – every race was wide open. Podium positions changed daily, highlighting just how closely fought the competition was.
World Champions Crowned
The Overall Category was won by HKG 295 ‘Les Freaks’, helmed by Marco Pocci with crew Giacomo Ferrari, Giorgia Bertuzzi, and Giovanni Meloni. Just 6 points separated them from second place – ITA 239 ‘Arvenis’, helmed by Davide Albertini Petroni. ITA 293 ‘Freccia Blu’, helmed by Marco Franchini, followed closely behind in bronze.
In the Corinthian division, the competition was just as fierce. ITA 161 ‘T-Rex’, helmed by Marco Giannini with crew Alfredo Capodanno, Emanuele Savoini, and Marco Savoini, secured the title – marking their win with roars and playful dinosaur gestures as they crossed the finish line. Polish teams claimed the remaining podium spots: POL 247 ‘Ultrastar’, helmed by Marta Gwiazda (silver), and POL 218 ‘Polsporty.pl Sailing’, helmed by Piotr Mańczak (bronze).
In the Women’s Category, ITA 230 ‘Magique et Terrible Sailing Team’, helmed by Malika Bellomi and crewed by Sofia Giondi, Lucia Marchi, Chiara Degli Angioli, and Elisabetta Cappato, claimed victory. ITA 193 ‘Nox 3’, helmed by Gaia Falco, finished second, with NED 303 ‘Blues Brothers’, helmed by Klaartje Zuiderbaan, in third.
The Under 23 category saw local team, and defending champions, ITA 285 ‘Nox Oceani’, take silver on home waters. The title went to ITA 234 ‘Nordes’, with ITA 193 ‘Nox 3’ adding another bronze to their haul. See the full results on hubsail.
True Italian Hospitality
Hosted by Circolo Velico Nox Oceani and Porto Rotondo Yacht Club, in collaboration with the Italian RS21 Class and under the authority of the Italian Sailing Federation, the event brought together more than 201 athletes from 13 nations across Europe and beyond.
This was the second time Porto Rotondo hosted the Worlds, having previously welcomed the fleet in 2023. Italian RS21 Class President Davide Casetti commented: “I’m very happy the RS21 International Class chose to return to Porto Rotondo. Since 2023, the class has grown significantly worldwide, and we’re seeing strong participation from emerging fleets. Like the Yamamay Cup, this event also emphasizes sustainability – working with partners to reduce environmental impact. We have all the ingredients for success.”
Social Highlights: Racing by Day, Celebrating by Night
The competition may h
ave been fierce on the water, but ashore, the atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and full of Italian charm. Each day, sailors were greeted dockside with a delicious spread of local charcuterie – cured meats, regional cheeses, fresh pastries – and a well-earned ice-cold beer or glass of wine.
The social calendar kicked off in style with a vibrant Opening Ceremony on Tuesday evening, featuring a generous pasta feast that brought teams together under the Sardinian stars. The camaraderie continued throughout the week, culminating in a Friday night crew dinner held away from the marina hub at a local restaurant.
“It was a lovely setting with big, long tables,” said Liam. “Everyone made the most of the DJ and the after-party music after dinner – it really capped off the week in style!”
These memorable evenings off the water helped strengthen bonds across the international fleet, reminding everyone that sailing is as much about shared experiences as it is about competition.
Partners and Sponsors
The RS21 World Championship was supported by title sponsors RS Sailing, Negrinautica, CodeZero, Guglielmi, TNB, Azimut, SLAM, and Gottifredi Maffioli. Sustainability partners included Right Hub, Up2you, and Nox Oceani – underscoring the event’s commitment to environmentally responsible sailing.
As the sails came down and the fleet began to disperse, Liam summed up the sentiment: “Thanks again to Porto Rotondo and its legendary waters. We can’t wait for next year’s Worlds – the location announcement is coming soon, so watch this space.”
