The Palermo–Montecarlo is not just a race — it's a 500-nautical-mile passage through some of the most strategic and beautiful waters in the Mediterranean. From the Gulf of Mondello in Sicily, past the Maddalena Archipelago, through the Strait of Bonifacio, along the coast of Corsica, and into the Principality of Monaco. Offshore racing meets old-world glamour at every turn. Now in its 20th edition, the regatta is organised by three of the Mediterranean's most prestigious clubs — Circolo della Vela Sicilia, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, and Yacht Club de Monaco — and has attracted legends of the sport from Jochen Schümann to Brad Butterworth.
In August 2025, Sisi lined up alongside 44 boats from nine nations for the anniversary edition. Here's how it went.
The race week starts in Palermo — specifically at the Circolo della Vela Sicilia, one of Sicily's oldest and most respected yacht clubs. The welcome dinner brings together crews from across the fleet: maxis, TP52s, one-designs, and Sisi, the only VO65 on the start line. The Italian Navy's historic training ship Palinuro serves as the backdrop — a fitting reminder that this is a race with deep maritime roots. Then, at noon on the 19th of August, the starting gun fires from the Gulf of Mondello and 45 boats head north into the Tyrrhenian Sea. The race is on.
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Through the Maddalena Archipelago, past the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, and into one of the most tactical passages in Mediterranean sailing.
The course takes the fleet to a mandatory scoring gate off Porto Cervo — overseen by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda — before the crucial tactical decision: west through the Strait of Bonifacio, or east around Corsica. For Sisi, the route went through the Maddalena channel with 25 knots of southerly wind — fast, physical sailing through narrow waters surrounded by granite islands. The Strait of Bonifacio is where the race gets real: strong currents, shifting winds, and a passage that rewards bold decisions and punishes hesitation.
Strong southerlies, a thunderstorm, and a three-boat sprint for the podium that was decided in the final miles.
This edition delivered what offshore racing lives for: proper wind, real conditions, and a race that wasn't decided until the very end. Sisi sailed a strong race throughout — passing the Porto Cervo gate in fourth position, five hours behind the 100ft Maxi Black Jack, and leading a tight group of boats heading north. In the final hours approaching Monaco, a wind hole near the coast cost Sisi the lead over the Turkish TP52 Arkas and the foiling catamaran Falcon. All three crossed the finish line within 16 minutes of each other. Fourth on the water in a fleet of 45 — and a race that showed Sisi can compete with boats designed for very different conditions.
Welcome drinks, dinner, and the award ceremony at the Yacht Club de Monaco — where 500 miles of salt water meets the Principality's skyline.
Crossing the finish line into Port Hercules is one of the great arrivals in Mediterranean offshore racing. The Yacht Club de Monaco — its striking modern clubhouse overlooking the harbour — welcomes each crew as they dock. Welcome drinks. A formal dinner. And the award ceremony, where the trophies are handed out against the backdrop of Monaco's skyline. It's the perfect contrast to the race itself: three days of spray, sleep deprivation, and tactical battles, followed by champagne on a terrace overlooking the superyachts. Offshore sailing meets glamour. That's the Palermo–Montecarlo — and that's exactly why we'll be back.
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