Palermo-Montecarlo 2026: the Mediterranean prepares for a new offshore challenge

The Mediterranean is getting ready for another major offshore challenge. From 18 to 23 August 2026, the Palermo-Montecarlo returns for its 21st edition, confirming its place among the most prestigious offshore sailing events on the international calendar. Five hundred nautical miles separate the Sicilian starting line from the finish in the Principality of Monaco: a demanding course that tests tactics, endurance and the ability to read the wind.

Organised by the Circolo della Vela Sicilia, in partnership with the Yacht Club de Monaco and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, the event has become a firmly established fixture on the offshore sailing calendar. The Palermo-Montecarlo is also the final race of the Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Challenge IMA and an important round of the FIV Italian Offshore Championship.

A battle between maxi yachts

One of the most intriguing features of the 2026 edition is the confrontation between two boats that share a remarkable history. Both are former Morning Glory yachts, originally designed by the renowned Reichel-Pugh design team and now set to face each other once again on Mediterranean waters.

On one side will be the 78-foot Fiamme Gialle Nice, led by Paolo Cian and Pierluigi Fornelli, with a crew that includes athletes with Olympic backgrounds. On the other will be the 86-foot supermaxi Marta 07, fielded by Fast and Furio Sailing, the team led by Furio Benussi, racing under the colours of the Yacht Club de Monaco and the Circolo della Vela Sicilia.

Joining Furio Benussi and his daughter Marta aboard Marta 07 will be Monegasque sailor Guido Miani, together with a group of young Sicilian sailors who were part of the overall winning crew in 2025. The team therefore combines experience, talent and continuity.

An international fleet ready to deliver

The quality of the 2026 fleet confirms the ambitions of the Palermo-Montecarlo. Thirty-two boats are entered, including 19 international crews from Germany, France, Great Britain, the United States, Malta, Austria, San Marino and Turkey.

Among the boats to watch is the Turkish TP52 Arkas Blue Moon, fresh from victory in the Loro Piana Giraglia. The fleet will also feature the US PAC52 Final Final and the TP52 Chocolate 3, owned by Hungarian sailor Peter Czégal.

Other boats are sure to attract attention because of their history, technical characteristics and crews. These include the Austrian VO65 SISI, the Swan 60 Seaquill, with Andrea Fornaro on board, the Swan 56 Elle, and the JP54 The Kid, sailed by experienced French offshore racer Jean-Pierre Dick.

The fleet is completed by Neo Yachts Alemaro and Upscale, while particular attention will be focused on Zephyr, an innovative 44-footer designed by Finot-Conq and recently launched.

Chasing the record

The Palermo-Montecarlo is not only a battle for tactical supremacy and overall victory: it is also a race against the clock. The current record belongs to Black Jack 100, which in 2025 completed the 500-nautical-mile course in just 38 hours, 53 minutes and 13 seconds.

That benchmark adds another layer of excitement to this year’s edition. Weather conditions and the evolution of the wind along the course will be crucial in determining whether the fleet can challenge or even improve the record time.

Palermo and Montecarlo: two shores of the same sea

Beyond its sporting dimension, the Palermo-Montecarlo has become an ideal link between Sicily and the Principality. The route from Palermo to Montecarlo crosses one of Europe’s most fascinating and unpredictable sailing areas.

“The Palermo-Montecarlo has now become a symbol of the Mediterranean’s appeal as a sailing destination,” said Agostino Randazzo, president of the Circolo della Vela Sicilia, highlighting the event’s growing international importance.

Over the years, the race has evolved into much more than a sporting competition. It brings together leading sailors, owners, professional crews and young talents, while maintaining a strong connection with Sicily and its maritime heritage.

The challenge goes virtual

Alongside the real race, the Palermo-Montecarlo Virtual will return on the Virtual Regatta platform. The virtual event allows sailing enthusiasts from around the world to compete on the same route followed by the crews at sea.

The 2025 edition attracted more than 8,400 participants, demonstrating the event’s ability to reach an audience far beyond those physically present along the course. Special prizes will once again be awarded to the best performers, including dedicated awards for under-18 competitors.

Countdown to 18 August

The countdown is now well underway. The fleet is preparing to leave Palermo for one of the most demanding and spectacular offshore passages on the Mediterranean sailing calendar.

With a strong and international fleet, some of the most competitive maxi yachts in the world and a record to chase, the Palermo-Montecarlo 2026 promises a high-intensity contest in which every decision could make the difference.

The event is supported by a broad network of institutions, sponsors and partners, including the Sicilian Region, the Metropolitan City of Palermo, the Municipality of Palermo and Fondazione Sicilia, together with UniCredit, Centro Porsche Palermo and new partner Firriato, the Sicilian winery committed to preserving biodiversity and promoting historic grape varieties.

When the sails are raised and the fleet heads out from Palermo, once again it will be the wind, the sea and the crews’ ability to read both that will determine who can conquer the route linking Palermo and Montecarlo.