The Offshore Racing Congress has announced the International Med Circuit, a new three-stop series for ORC Class 0 racing yachts in 2027. The programme will link the Gulf of Naples, the Tuscan coast and Palma Bay across a full Mediterranean summer.
The founding clubs are Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia, Yacht Club Toscana and Real Club Náutico de Palma. The series is dedicated to the fastest class of the ORC fleet, which includes performance yachts within Luxury Yacht Guide's 12.00–23.99-metre range.
Three dates across the Mediterranean
Tre Golfi Sailing Week in Sorrento is scheduled for 4–8 May 2027, followed by the inaugural Coppa Toscana in Scarlino from 21–27 June. Copa del Rey MAPFRE in Palma brings the series to a conclusion from 31 July to 7 August.
The itinerary is intentionally spread across several months rather than concentrated in one venue. Participating owners can plan yacht movements and crew commitments around the three events.
Why ORC has created the series
The class has shown sustained international participation, with 17 Class 0 entries at the 2025 ORC European Championship. ORC reports 15 such yachts at the 2026 world championship during Tre Golfi and 14 at Copa del Rey in Palma.
The new format responds to those existing racing fleets rather than inventing an untested category. ORC intends to recognise sustained participation and results across all three host regattas.
Eligibility and scoring still to be finalised
The inaugural circuit will be open only to ORC Class 0 yachts holding a valid ORC International certificate. Full eligibility, technical conditions and scoring details will be published in the Notice of Series.
Class 0 is a racing classification and not an automatic overall-length category. LYG's coverage is relevant to the qualifying sub-24-metre performance yachts, without suggesting every larger entry belongs in its fleet.
A new trophy in Palma
The prize-giving will follow the conclusion of Copa del Rey, with the overall winner receiving the ORC Challenge Paolo Massarini Trophy. That creates a circuit-level result in addition to the individual regatta prizes.
Owners considering a campaign can consult the three organising clubs as final notices become available. The official announcement provides dates and structure but does not yet confirm an entry list or series winner.
