The new season of the 44Cup commences next week at Puerto Calero in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, with racing scheduled from 5-8 February following a practice day on the 4th. This location has been a cornerstone of the circuit for many years and is operated by Calero Marinas, a long-time partner of the RC44 class.

Previously, the 2025 season concluded with the 44Cup’s inaugural event at Marina Jandía in Fuerteventura, won by Markus Tornqvist’s GeMera. Team Nika, with Vladimir Prosikhin and tactician Nic Asher, consistently podiumed throughout the season, leading to their overall victory.

Now entering its 19th year, the RC44 class remains one of the most enduring large one-design boats, attracting participants eager to experience owner-driver racing with competitive spirit both at sea and ashore.

The upcoming event in Lanzarote marks the 13th occasion the RC44 circuit has visited since 2008, with the competition known for its rich history. Porto Calero was notably the venue for the first RC44 World Championship in 2010, won by Larry Ellison’s Oracle Racing. Among the competitors returning this year are previous champions including Artemis Racing, Team Aqua, Peninsula Racing, and Charisma.

Defending champions Team Nika arrive as favourites, with Aleph Racing also a strong contender, having previously won in 2023 and 2021. Hugues Lepic plans to transition driving duties to Pietro Loro Piana for the 2026 season while ensuring a stable crew dynamic remains in place, which Ivaldi believes is crucial for success in this high-stakes racing environment.

The course at Puerto Calero offers challenging wind conditions, primarily from the north or northeast, which can lead to shifty winds off the island. This unpredictability can create opportunities for those who can effectively manage their positioning.

José Juan Calero, the CEO of Calero Marinas, expressed excitement about hosting the RC44 Class again, highlighting the long-standing relationship and the commitment to providing excellence in competitive sailing.

Overall, the 44Cup promises to deliver thrilling match races and continued camaraderie among competitors, setting the stage for an exhilarating 2026 season.

To keep up with the latest updates and follow the 44Cup on social media, visit www.44cup.org.

44CUP 2026 SCHEDULE:

4 – 8 February              44CUP CALERO MARINAS, Lanzarote 22 – 26 April                 44CUP PUNTALDIA – Sardinia 24 – 28 June                 44CUP MARSTRAND – Sweden 23 – 27 September       2026 44CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP COWES – UK 4 – 8 November            44CUP CARTAGENA – Spain

44CUP TEAMS 2026:

ALEPH RACING (FRA 17) Boat Owner: Hugues Lepic (FRA) & Pietro Loro Piana (ITA) Tactician: Michele Ivaldi (ITA) ARTEMIS RACING (SWE 44) Boat Owner: Torbjorn Tornqvist (SWE) Tactician: Hamish Pepper (NZL) BLACK STAR SAILING TEAM (SUI 27) Boat Owner: Christian Zuerrer (SUI) Tactician: Cameron Dunn (NZL) GEMERA RACING (SWE 30) Boat Owner: Markus Törnqvist (SWE) Tactician : Francesco Bruni (ITA) PENINSULA RACING (GBR 18) Boat Owner: John Bassadone (GBR) Tactician: Vasco Vascotto (ITA) TEAM AQUA (GBR 2041) Boat Owner: Chris Bake (NZL) Tactician: Cameron Appleton (NZL) TEAM CEEREF VAIDER (SLO11) Boat Owner: Igor Lah (SLO) Tactician: Adrian Stead (GBR) TEAM CHARISMA (MON 69) Boat Owner: Nico Poons (NED) Tactician: Andy Horton (USA) TEAM NIKA (MON 10) Boat Owner: Vladimir Prosikhin (BUL) Tactician: Nic Asher (GBR) WOW! SAILING TEAM (TUR 4425) Boat Owner: Mehmet Taki & Murat Edin (TUR) Tactician: Iker Martinez (ESP) RC44 BLACK BOAT PROJECT The 44Cup’s trial boat, which teams can use to experience racing within the fleet

#44Cup #SailingNews #RC44 #PuertoCalero #SailingAustralia

Interested in seeing more Racing News? Click here