RS21 CUP: the Innovative Sailing World Championship kicks off in Porto Rotondo
A major event will take place in Porto Rotondo from September 4th to 7th, as the RS21 CUP Innovative Sailing World Championship begins, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the founding of this magnificent marina.
This is an internationally significant event, with athletes coming from all over the world, organized by FIV (Italian Sailing Federation), the Yacht Club Porto Rotondo, and of course, in collaboration with the Italian RS21 class. The event, promoted by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, Department of Tourism, Crafts, and Commerce, promises to be very exciting, both for the spectacular regatta course and for the strong message of sustainability and innovation it conveys—values that have always been a cornerstone of local administrations.
The formula chosen for this world championship is equally spectacular, as the races will be held in a team race format. It’s worth noting that in this format, two teams with an equal number of boats (2 vs. 2 or more) compete in direct elimination rounds using tactics and covering strategies. This thrilling mode, refereed directly on the water as in Match Racing, requires a deep knowledge of the rules.
Registrations are officially open, and high-level teams are expected to participate, arriving from overseas (United States and Brazil), Europe (England and Ireland), and the United Arab Emirates. The first Italian team to register is, unsurprisingly, the home team, NOX Oceani, with two crews who, incidentally, are the current RS21 World Champions from last year, where they secured first and second place in the Under 23 category.
“We are working diligently to ensure the success of this very important event – explains Fabrizio De Falco, President of the Yacht Club Porto Rotondo – On September 3rd, we will welcome the crews with the opening of the regatta office, and on the 4th, we have scheduled a training day on the regatta course in the Gulf of Cugnana, followed by a briefing and, at 6:00 PM, the opening ceremony. The races will take place from September 5th to 7th, and the spectacle will be guaranteed, with fans able to follow the races both live and through various communication channels”.
“The RS21 is a class that is attracting more and more enthusiasts, and Porto Rotondo, after the 2023 World Championship, was chosen to host this new international event – says Davide Casetti, President of the National RS21 Association – The boat is highly performant, fun, and safe, but it stands out for its commitment to sustainability, which is now essential, such as the presence of an electric motor for entering and exiting ports”.
During the event, the “Blue Village” will also be set up, located in the square in front of the Yacht Club Porto Rotondo. It will host conferences on environmental, sports, and technological topics, aiming to project concrete actions for a sustainable future.
“The Blue Village will be a space dedicated to showcasing the most innovative and sustainable solutions in an open and interactive, and thus participatory, dialogue with representatives from companies and startups who will illustrate how their innovations are contributing to positive change – explains the creator, Luca Giovannini – This section of the event aims to inspire young people and beyond, demonstrating how technology and research can be put at the service of a bluer future. The goal is to make the event a model of sustainability capable of transcending the physical boundaries of the venue, spreading its message wherever there is someone willing to listen. Additionally, thanks to collaboration with industry experts, cutting-edge solutions for measuring and offsetting the carbon footprint will be adopted, making the Blue Village a concrete example of how it is possible to reduce the environmental impact of large-scale events like the RS21 Innovative Sailing World Championship”.
RS21: the boats
Simple, fast, and equipped with a lifting keel, these boats were designed to allow sailing clubs around the world to race with economically accessible sailboats made from eco-friendly materials.
The RS21s are also equipped with an electric motor for entering and exiting ports, a feature that benefits both emissions and the ease of use of the boats.
The RS21s are 6.34 meters long and weigh only 650 kilograms. The minimum crew is 3 people, and there is no weight limit, which, combined with the large sail area (24 square meters) and the generous gennaker (40 square meters), ensures a good dose of adrenaline and spectacle in all the circuit’s races.
