The Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia, founded in 1850, hosted the final stage of the 2024 European Match Race Championship, a competition that brought together Europe’s top sailors in the iconic Gulf of Naples. Over three days, from Friday, October 25, to Sunday, October 27, the event unfolded in Naples' famed “wind stadium,” offering an idyllic setting where the talent, precision, and technical prowess of each team made the difference in this high-level sporting event.
Among the standout competitors were well-known figures in European sailing. Italians Demetrio Sposato from Centro Velico 3V, Paolo Cian from the Fiamme Gialle Sports Group, and Michele Mazzotti, representing the host club RYCC Savoia, joined forces with the experienced Paolo Scutellaro, a multiple world champion who served as the tactician for the host team. France presented a formidable lineup led by Timothée Rossi of Société des régates d’Antibes and Cyrus Ledru from Queen Mary Sailing Club, offering stiff competition. Spain was represented by veteran José Cigarran of the Cigarran Sailing Team, while Switzerland was captained by Yves Mermod from Thunersee Yacht Club.
The Cigarran Sailing Team, backed by Cigarran Abogados, Lenda Pet Food, Torre de Nuñez, and Deporte Galego, arrived in Naples for the final stop after an exceptional season in the European circuit, with stops in Montenegro, Macedonia, and Bulgaria, where they achieved outstanding results. This international journey allowed them to accumulate experience and position themselves as one of the favorites for the final event, making them the team that had traveled the furthest to reach Naples, a feat admired by both competitors and the public.
The opening day featured a symbolic act reaffirming the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie among the teams. In an emotional ceremony, the Cigarran Sailing Team presented the pennant of their club, the Monterreal Club de Yates de Baiona, to RYCC Savoia President Fabrizio Cattaneo della Volta. This gesture was a token of appreciation for the host club’s hospitality and a symbol of the fellowship that unites sailors worldwide beyond competition.
In the competition, the Cigarran Sailing Team exemplified perseverance and strategic skill. Although they struggled to fully adapt to the characteristics of the RS21, the boat used in this competition, they excelled especially in the pre-start phases. On several occasions, the Spanish team managed to position themselves advantageously from the outset, demonstrating their ability to anticipate the opponents’ moves and executing precise maneuvers that allowed them to take the lead and occasionally impose penalties on their rivals. However, the challenging conditions of the racing course and their unfamiliarity with the RS21 affected their performance in the more technical stages, where they struggled to maintain control against the skill of their competitors.
Team captain José Cigarran expressed his gratitude and determination at the end of the championship, emphasizing that, despite the challenges encountered, this experience had been deeply enriching: “We have learned a lot this season. Every race has been an opportunity to improve and strengthen as a team, and although we didn’t achieve the results we expected in Naples, we return with more experience and conviction. Competing against some of the continent’s best has motivated us to hone our skills and continue our journey.” With this attitude, Cigarran and his team made it clear that their goal is to continue progressing in the European circuit and elevate the level of Spanish representation in this sport.
The Cigarran Sailing Team, though new, hails from Baiona’s sailing school. Composed of students and a former Cruise coach, the team includes Óscar Comesaña, Manuel Piñeiro, and José himself, along with occasional members César López and Jorge Cigarran. They closed out the 2024 season ranked 130th in the World Sailing Match Race global ranking, making them the highest-ranked Spanish team in the discipline. This achievement recognizes the team’s relentless effort, proving their ability to compete with some of Europe’s best sailors and that, despite obstacles, hard work and passion can help them meet their objectives.
The awards ceremony took place in the elegant halls of the Santa Lucia club and was attended by notable figures from the sailing world. The winning teams received their trophies from Fabrizio Cattaneo della Volta, president of the Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia, and Enrico Deuringer, vice president of V Zona Fiv.
In his closing speech, RYCC Savoia President Fabrizio Cattaneo della Volta highlighted the event's organizational success and the importance of hosting competitions of this magnitude in Naples: “We are happy and proud of the great work done in recent weeks. In the second half of October, we hosted two international regattas, 22 teams, and around 150 sailors from all over the world. Showcasing the beauty of Naples is what makes us most proud.” This competition was an ideal platform to showcase Neapolitan hospitality and promote the city as a top destination for sailing.
Francesco Lo Schiavo, president of the V Zona Fiv, also praised RYCC Savoia’s excellent organization and the positive impact the event had on developing Match Race in the region: “RYCC Savoia has once again confirmed its organizational excellence by hosting a top-tier European final. The event contributed to enhancing the RS21 fleet in the Campania Region and boosted Naples’ candidacy as the European Capital of Sport 2026 in international sailing”.
The Swiss team, Swisse Match Race Team, led by Yves Mermod from Thunersee Yacht Club, emerged victorious in this final stage, sailing alongside Nick Zeltner, Jann Schupbach, and Lukas Hesse. The Swiss team, consistently ranking high during the two days of qualifying, defeated the French Sudistes Sailing Team, captained by Timothée Rossi of Société des Régates d’Antibes, in the final. The third place went to another French team, Match Mallow led by Marin Micoulot, while the top Italian team, Fiamme Gialle, captained by former America’s Cup helmsman Paolo Cian, finished in fourth place.
Thus, the European Match Race Tour concludes a memorable season, solidifying its prestige in the circuit and building great expectations for the 2025 season. With the ambition of all the standout teams, next year promises to be an exciting campaign as competitors seek new venues across Europe’s waters.
Video: youtu.be/VZnQqBSnF2s
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