The Palermo-Montecarlo celebrates its 20th anniversary this year with what promises to be an outstanding line-up. Organised by Circolo della Vela Sicilia in collaboration with Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, the race links the Gulf of Mondello in Palermo to the Principality of Monaco on a 500 nautical mile course across one of the most strategic and changeable basins in the Mediterranean.
The Palermo-Montecarlo is now established as a major international event as it counts towards the International Maxi Association’s Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Challenge, the Italian Offshore Championship organised by the Italian Sailing Federation, the Mediterranean Altura Trophy, Owner of the Year Trophy (UVAI), the Mediterranean crewed Inshore and Offshore Championship Trophy in IRC, and the Mediterranean Trophy Class40.
Since the legendary Steinlager II won the first edition in 2005, the race has attracted many of the biggest names in sailing. Mauro Pelaschier, Jochen Schümann, Francesco Bruni, Philippe Monnet and four-time America’s Cup winner Brad Butterworth have all written their names into its history. For some it’s about chasing the record, for others an adventure at sea to be shared with friends and family over several days and nights.
With a month to go before the start on 19 August, 40 boats are already registered with others announced and imminent. The fleet comprises 40% foreign boats representing ten nations confirming its status as an international event.
Headlining is the Maxi 100 Black Jack of YCM member Remon Vos, skippered by Tristan Le Brun, a member of the YCM’s Captains Club. The boat’s returning to defend its record set in 2024 of 44 hours 34 minutes 14 seconds, more than three hours faster than the previous one. It will be the boat to beat in the race after a spectacular start against the backdrop of the Palinuro, an Italian Navy sailing ship, here to celebrate this 20th anniversary.
As well as the current record holder Black Jack, there will be six other boats flying the Monaco flag. Eugene Van Koppen’s Bavaria 44 Shooting Star; Andrea Statari’s Comet 48’ Gorilla Gang XL; the 10.8m JPK Magic Sea skippered by Loïc Pompée; Nicolas Rostagni aboard the Bavaria 36 Breizh; and Éric Müller’s J99 K’Mena will be on the start, alongside Loïc Pompée’s Grand Soleil 48 Le Joy skippered by Thierry Leret with a crew of enthusiastic young sailors from YCM’s Sports Section keen to experience and share the joys of offshore racing.
The lineup promises a thrilling race with some tough opponents including the Mini Maxi 69 Intuition (Reichel-Pugh design), owned by Vincent Beuvry, skippered by Yann Delplace; the VO65 Sisi (formerly Volvo Ocean Race), helmed by Oliver Kobale; and the TP52 Blue Moon Arkas (Turkey) owned by Bernard Arkas, skippered by Serat Altay. Completing the fleet of favourites is Hervé Grunig’s Swan 56 Azahar.
The Italians are fielding some serious contenders including Matteo Uliassi’s foiling catamaran Falcon, skippered by Francesco Cerina; Ernesto Folli’s Grand Soleil 52 Race Black Pekoe III; Alberto Magnani’s Swan 45 Tengher (Yacht Club Italiano); Franz Baruffaldi Preis’s Mylius 60 Manticore; Massimo Sabatini’s Nab 12.50 Superkalimera; the prototype Elo II, entrusted to Pietro D’Alì; and Enrico Calvi’s Duffy (Dufour 34) a loyal regular.
As always, Circolo della Vela Sicilia is entering one of its boats, the ICE 52 No Regret, skippered by Edoardo Bonanno, winner of the 151 Miglia 2025. He will be supported by Gaetano Figlia di Granara and his sons, Federico and Riccardo. Palermo clubs will also be represented by Lauria de Peppe Fornich’s Farr 45 Sagola; the Rimar 44.3 Starfly (Lega Navale Italiana); the Oceanis 46.1 Felix III (Società Canottieri Palermo); and the Bad 37 I am Bad (Vela Club Palermo).
For the 20th edition, the Palermo-Montecarlo will also be available on the Virtual Regatta platform. Registration opens no later than 9 August 2025, ten days before the official start. Anyone can have a go, and there will also be a private challenge for members of the Yacht Club de Monaco and Circolo della Vela Sicilia with contestants in the colours of each club.
For the 20th edition the seamless coordination between Circolo della Vela Sicilia, Yacht Club de Monaco and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda has been ramped up another notch to offer sailors top level hospitality and logistics. Given the range of boats and depth of sailor profiles, the Palermo-Montecarlo 2025 looks set for a technical and symbolic anniversary race.
