From glassy starts to full-send Mistrals, the 44Cup Porto Cervo delivered the kind of all-conditions test that separates the sharp from the simply lucky. And when the regatta came to a thrilling conclusion on the final day, it was Vladimir Prosikhin's Monaco-flagged entry Team Nika who rose to the moment, to claim the winners' golden wheels in style.
The 2025 44Cup Porto Cervo delivered a full range of conditions to test the 11-boat fleet: light-air trickery early on, lumpy pressure systems on day two, Champagne conditions by day three, and a signature Mistral finish that showcased the class's high-octane performance. Few venues provide such a full-spectrum test, and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda served it up with typical aplomb.
But make no mistake—this was no easy ride for Nika. With Artemis Racing and new kids GeMera nipping at their transom all the way to the last race, the pressure never lifted.
Light Winds, Heavy Traffic
Day one set the tone with two light-air races that turned the heat up early. Christian Zuerrer’s Black Star Sailing Team, returning to the circuit after missing the BVI season opener, came out swinging with a win in Race 1. Their decision to work the left paid off, fending off a strong challenge from Artemis Racing. A fresh coach in France’s Nicolas Charbonnier may have helped—the Swiss looked calm and crisp, especially downwind.
But consistency was in short supply. Black Star and Artemis, front-runners in Race 1, found themselves back in the pack for Race 2. It was Hugues Lepic’s Aleph Racing and Igor Lah’s Team CEEREF Vaider who rose to the occasion, exploiting a right-hand shift to take the top two spots.
Meanwhile, Nika logged a solid 4–3 to sit tied atop the standings with Aleph. “It was a J1 day,” said Prosikhin, acknowledging that light air has historically been his team’s Achilles’ heel. “But the boat’s in perfect condition after the refit—we’re feeling good.”
The fleet was tight—just two points separated first from fifth. With 11 boats on the line for the first time in years, it was also crowded, and Prosikhin liked it that way: “It’s so nice that the class is growing again.”
Wild Rides and Family Rivalries
By Friday, the sea state had caught up to the breeze, delivering what one tactician called a “lumpy, confused mess” that punished the timid and rewarded the committed. Three races were sailed in 11–16 knots from the northeast—conditions made for fast hands and strong stomachs.
Team Nika surged ahead with three podium finishes, including a dramatic come-from-behind win in Race 5. Black Star led most of the way, but Nika’s timing on the final gybe allowed them to overhaul Aleph in the closing seconds.
“It was one of those races where you needed to be brave and clever,” said tactician Nic Asher. “The whole fleet was stacked.”
The Törnqvist family narrative added another layer. Torbjörn’s Artemis Racing finally found rhythm with a win in Race 3, while son Markus, steering the new GeMera campaign, punched in a steady 4–6–3 to sit just off the podium. With Francesco Bruni calling shots and an all-star crew, GeMera was far from a novelty act.
“You want him to do well, but when we’re racing, he’s just another competitor,” Torbjörn said. That said, a father-son one-two looked plausible heading into the weekend.
Down the board, Peninsula Racing was also showing signs of life. John Bassadone’s Gibraltar-based crew, led by Vasco Vascotto, posted a 5–2–3 to bounce back from a rough opening day. “We're not excited yet, but we’re heading the right way,” said Vascotto. “This class just keeps getting better.”
Youth, Chaos and a Tightrope Walk
Saturday brought glamour conditions and more storylines. A southeasterly breeze at 8–10 knots allowed for three races and a touch more stretch in the legs. It was also a day of redemption for Nico Poons’ Team Charisma and a breakthrough for GeMera, who led early in Race 6 before being pipped by the Charisma crew.
Black Star picked up a race win of their own after threading the needle up the right in Race 7, but chaos struck in the third race of the day when Team CEEREF Vaider’s top-mark layline squeeze created a logjam that punished Aqua and Charisma, leaving them parked and penalty-bound. “We had to gybe around the whole mess,” said Black Star owner/driver Zuerrer. “You didn’t want to be anywhere near it.”
Despite that, Team Nika held onto a one-point lead over Artemis Racing, while GeMera moved into a provisional third. “We’re just trying to stay in the mix,” said Markus Törnqvist. “This is way more competitive than I expected.”
Bomb Alley Showdown
Sunday brought the showdown everyone had hoped for. The breeze clicked into the classic Mistral pattern and racing moved into Bomb Alley, where mountains and islands famously funnel the wind.
Artemis opened strong by forcing Nika over the line early. But Prosikhin and crew clawed back—first to fourth, then to first—through sheer speed and ruthless consistency. “Six boatlengths behind at the start,” said Prosikhin, “and somehow we just kept climbing. The boat was flying.”
GeMera took their first race win in Race 10, pulling past Artemis and Black Star to all but seal their podium debut. It was an exceptional performance for a team brand new to the fleet. “It usually takes years,” said Bruni. “But Markus has that focus. We surprised even ourselves.”
The final race saw Team Nika cement the win with another bullet, while Artemis could manage only fourth. Charisma, rebounding from a mid-fleet week, took second to wrap the regatta in fourth overall.
Golden Wheels Return
In the end, Team Nika closed out the event seven points clear of Artemis Racing, reclaiming the fleet's golden wheels as overall 2025 44Cup leaders. GeMera’s third-place finish marked one of the most impressive RC44 debuts in memory, while the broader story was the sheer depth of the fleet.
“You need everything to come together to win in this class,” said Prosikhin. “Every degree of trim. Every metre of pressure. Every call. And this week, we had it all working.”
As for the class itself, it’s enjoying a well-earned resurgence. The return to a full starting line, a new generation of owner-drivers, and venues like Porto Cervo proving just why the 44Cup remains a proving ground for the best in the business.
Next stop on the 44Cup circuit: Marstrand in June.
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