Excitement is mounting in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, as preparations hot up for the second ever Sailing Champions League.
Reigning champions, the Royal Danish Yacht Club from Copenhagen, will be hoping to romp home with another win, but they’re facing tough competition.
It’s expected that 32 clubs from over 12 nations will take part in the prestigious event, hosted this year at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.
Last year, the club competition featured races not longer than 15 minutes on one design boats very close to the shoreline, and was an important development for sailing.
In fact, so exciting was the format, it inspired 14 countries to create their own sailing leagues in 2015.
So, it won’t be plain sailing for a Dutch win.
And they’ll be facing, provisionally at least, an entry from the UK’s own Royal Thames Yacht Club of London.
The event takes place from 18 – 20 September in the gorgeous Italian setting and we are not even slightly envious of those flying out to take part. No, really.
Related stories: