The Bonifacio IRC European Championship 2025, organized by the Yacht Club de Bonifacio from October 4 to 12, delivered a thrilling week of racing, combining strategy, commitment, and sporting excellence.
The event brought together 31 international amateur crews on one of the most spectacular racecourses in the Mediterranean — the most beautiful, say the Corsicans!
AN UNDISPUTED CHAMPION
After seven races, including the 30th edition of the non-stop Tour de Corse, marked by light winds and breathless suspense, the title of IRC European Champion 2025 goes to RAN 7, the Carkeek 40 skippered by Niklas Zennstrom (KSSS), competing in IRC 1. Winner of two inshore races and the Tour de Corse, the Swedish crew displayed outstanding consistency and tactical mastery, asserting their dominance in all conditions.
PERFECT CONDITIONS FOR THE INSHORE RACES
The first six races, held on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 October, benefited from steady thermal winds establishing each day from 1:00 PM. Ideal conditions allowed crews to perform at their best ahead of the decisive offshore leg. Olivier de Turckheim, President of the Race Committee, conducted the races with precision, supported by the dedicated volunteers of the Yacht Club de Bonifacio, whose professionalism and constant care were unanimously praised by competitors.
SEAMLESS ORGANISATION
During the post-race debrief just before the awards ceremony, Michel Mallaroni, President of the Yacht Club de Bonifacio, praised the smooth running of the event and the unwavering commitment of his team:
“I am extremely pleased with how this European Championship was organized and with the trust placed in us by the Racing Division of the Yacht Club de France and the IRC rating authority. We were approached two years ago with this project, which represented a real challenge for our team. Today, with six inshore races completed and a successful Tour de Corse, the outcome has exceeded expectations and met the hopes of the competitors. We hope the sailors have discovered the unique beauty of Bonifacio’s race area, along with the distinct character of our great race around Corsica.”
RESULTS – IRC CLASS WINNERS
• IRC 0: FINAL FINAL (USA60654) – Jonathan Desmond – Royal Ocean Racing Club
(Also line honours winner of the 30th Tour de Corse)
• IRC 1: RAN 7 (SWE41) – Niklas Zennstrom – Royal Swedish Yacht Club
(Overall IRC European Champion 2025)
• IRC 2: IVANA & ALEKS (UAE43) – Chavdar Aleksandrov – Dubai Offshore Sailing Club
• IRC 3: FLYING DOLPHIN (NED7935) – Willem Ellemeet – Yacht Club de Scheveningen
(Also winner of the 2025 Loro Piana Giraglia in IRC class)
• IRC 4: TÉLÉMAQUE 2 (FRA43718) – Victor Bordes Larridan – Société Nautique de Marseille
(IRC European Champion in Cannes, 2023, with the same boat)
Full results at www.ycbonifacio.fr
RAN 7, IRC European Champion 2025
Image (c) YC Bonifacio