In one of the most dramatic grand finales in 44Cup history, the final day at Cartagena saw Peninsula Racing initially in the lead, but closely pursued by two other boats. The day began with a tightly contested leaderboard for the overall 2026 season, with Aleph Racing, GeMera Racing, and Team Nika all tied on points, while Team Aqua followed closely behind.
The sailing conditions differed from previous days, featuring a light southwesterly wind that built from eight to 12 knots. Peninsula Racing performed strongly, gaining an early lead and securing their third bullet, creating a significant seven-point gap. However, tension peaked during the second top mark rounding, where Team Aqua and Black Star Sailing Team were penalised for a stall, impacting their positions.
In the second race, Hamish Pepper’s Charisma tactician positioned them effectively to lead early, but Aleph Racing managed to secure their first bullet in Cartagena, tying them with GeMera Racing at the top of the leaderboard, with Team Aqua just a point behind.
The final race proved pivotal as GeMera Racing, starting robustly, quickly took the lead, while Aleph Racing struggled to engage and fell behind. GeMera Racing’s second-place finish earned them the 2026 44Cup title, with Aleph Racing finishing two points behind, clinching second on countback from Team Aqua.
Markus Törnqvist expressed immense pride for the team’s achievement in just their second season, while Francesco Bruni celebrated his first 44Cup victory, acknowledging the young team’s hard work and resilience.
Meanwhile, Peninsula Racing, which had led the event, faced a disappointing seventh in the final race, allowing Charisma to seize victory with their phenomenal performance. With a final tally of 44 points, Charisma edged out Peninsula Racing by two points, demonstrating the competitive spirit of the regatta.
The event concluded successfully thanks to the support of local authorities, with excitement building for the circuit’s 20th anniversary season in 2027.
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