Anzio, host of the 2028 SB20 World Championship, gave the international fleet a taste of its racecourse from 18–20 September 2026. Circolo Vela Roma hosted 22 SB20s for the Open Italian National Championship, organised together with Devoti Sailing. The regatta drew entries from Malta, Portugal and Australia and delivered eight races in light to moderate breeze, without a single protest.
“It has been truly special: three wonderful days in Anzio, with incredibly close racing and great battles on the water – but not a single protest. Above all, there was the pure joy of sailing this magical boat,” – Luca Devoti said.
The title fight came down to two boats that won three races each. Luca Domenici’s Notaro Team opened with a bullet in Race 1, and Pavel Grachev’s Medusa answered with wins in Races 2 and 5. Domenici won Races 6 and 7 back to back and went into the final race two points ahead. Then the classic Ponentino filled in. Medusa took her third bullet in Race 8 and won the open fleet on 15 points to Notaro Team’s 18.
Grachev, sailing under the Maltese flag, comes from the Melges 20 fleet and has also campaigned a J/70. Last December he finished second at the SB20 Middle East Championship in Dubai. In Anzio his crew were Stefano Cherin, a ClubSwan 28 Worlds silver medallist, on tactics, and Federico Colaninno, a Swan 50 World Champion and 2024 Youth America’s Cup winner with Luna Rossa, on trim.
As the highest-placed Italian helm, Domenici took the national title on his home waters, representing Lega Navale Italiana Anzio. Olympian Diego Negri called tactics and Francesco Gabbi trimmed. The team launched the boat just 48 hours before the first start.
“A triumph at home that will go down in history. This victory tastes of tenacity and grit, because it came without any training – we put the boat in the water just 48 hours before the competition. Special thanks go to my family, to my sponsor Wolters Kluwer, and to Luca Devoti for relaunching this class with me and for building winning boats,” – Luca Domenici said.
The final race also decided third place. Antonio Sodo Migliori (Yacht Club Costa Smeralda) was a model of consistency with three second places. His second in Race 8 lifted him onto the podium on 30 points, one point ahead of Portugal’s Sofia Vereshchagina on Active Sailing, who won Race 4. Mario Aquila’s Vanitè took the bullet in Race 3.
Australia’s Paul McCartney on Porco Rosso finished fifth with a steady run of top-six results. Tactician Will Sargent described Anzio as a venue that rewards skill:
“It’s a tricky light-wind venue with plenty of chop, and it really tests the drivers to keep the boat going fast. The Italian fleet has some great sailors in it, and it’s impressive how quickly it has grown.”
For the Australian visitors, Anzio was also a stepping stone to the 2026 Worlds in Hyères. Among them was Darren “Twirler” Jones, the Hobart-born member of the Tasmanian Yachting Hall of Fame and one of Australian sailing’s most decorated names and a long-time SB20 Class favourite:
“The important thing about coming to Anzio is to get more practice and more experience against the European boats. With the Worlds coming up in Hyères in just a few weeks’ time, it made sense to race here first against the majority of the Italian fleet,” – Twirler explained.
The category winners also sailed well overall. Youth champion Roberto Rinaldi (Circolo Vela Roma) finished seventh, and women’s champion Eirini Marios on Ares (AUS) was eighth.
The welcome ashore matched the racing, with a pasta party and a dinner hosted by main sponsor Link on the club terrace overlooking the bay attended by Ed Russo from SB20 France. Anzio’s Deputy for Sport announced new marina pontoons. He also announced an institutional round table with the clubs and the Class association, aimed at making the 2028 Worlds truly special.
There will be plenty of ways to get to know Anzio before 2028. Devoti Sailing is expanding its Italian operation:
- The charter fleet will grow to 16 boats, so international teams can race without shipping their own.
- Winter clinics will be open to everyone.
- A new training centre in Anzio will have boats ready to sail and top international coaches.
- A new Italian circuit calendar will be published soon.
“Magical conditions, a magical boat and a magical circuit. The new Italian calendar is going to be fantastic. Come sailing, because nothing compares to it! Once a sailor, always a sailor,” – Luca Devoti concluded.
Top 5 – SB20 Italian Open Championship 2026:
1. Medusa – Pavel Grachev (MLT) – 15 pts
2. Notaro Team – Luca Domenici (ITA) – 18 pts 🇮🇹 Italian Champion
3. Antonio Sodo Migliori (ITA) – 30 pts
4. Active Sailing – Sofia Vereshchagina (POR) – 31 pts
5. Porco Rosso – Paul McCartney (AUS) – 33 pts
Photos: ©Mario Anfora. Links to full albums: Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3