Heavy weather tests the fleet on epic day two in Hyères
Day two of the Cape 31 Mediterranean Series finale delivered a completely different test in Hyères, with the 20-boat fleet taking on big easterly breeze, steep seas and some of the most demanding conditions of the season.
Three races were completed in heavy conditions, with crews battling through crashes, wipeouts and breakages as the sea state pushed boats and sailors hard. Consistency was difficult to find, and the teams able to keep their composure were rewarded.
Overnight leaders La Pericolosa had the toughest possible start to the day, retiring from race 4 after a crash at the first windward mark. But they responded brilliantly, taking second in race 5 before winning race 6 to finish the day still on top of the overall standings.
La Pericolosa’s Fabian Gielen summed up a day that swung from frustration to near perfection.
“Good and bad — both sides. In the first race we had a crash at the first top mark and had to retire. Then we came back with a second and a first, so pretty good. We had a really strong day yesterday too, but didn’t quite get across the finish line in first. Today we did it, so we’re really happy.”
Asked how La Pericolosa has managed to stay so consistent in a 20-boat fleet, Gielen pointed to one key ingredient:
“I think we have really good speed. We’re pretty quick, and then the rest is about keeping it simple. Speed is king.”
Behind them, Django produced one of the strongest performances of the day. A sixth in race 4 was followed by victory in race 5 and second in race 6, a 6-1-2 scoreline that moved Vittorio Lombardi Stronati’s team into second overall heading into the final day.
“It’s very nice here — very windy, a little like Bonifacio. We had around 20 knots today, which suited us a bit better, and it was a lot of fun,” said Lombardi Stronati.
“We’re getting a little better and I feel more confident, but it’s still difficult because the level in the Cape 31 fleet is so high. In the first race we made a few mistakes, particularly in the manoeuvres and the kite hoist, but in the second and third races we had fewer issues. We started well, held our position and went really well downwind.
“We’re second overall now, but everyone is very close, so anything can happen tomorrow. We still have to work hard, but we’re looking forward to it.”
Give Me Five produced another of the day’s standout performances, winning race 4 before following it with third in race 5. The French team later discovered they had suffered significant rig damage, with the forestay cutting into the mast at the end of the opening race.
Remarkably, they completed the second race without realising the extent of the problem.
Owner Adrien Follin said:
“We had a rigging problem today. Our forestay cut the mast at the end of the first race, and we sailed the second race without realising how serious the damage was. We’ll do everything we can to repair it in time for the Gold Cup.”
After discovering the extent of the damage, Give Me Five did not start the final race of the day. The team will now turn its attention to repairing the boat ahead of next month’s Cape 31 Gold Cup in Saint-Tropez.
Elsewhere, Stig, Khumbu and Stella Maris continued to show the consistency needed in such difficult conditions and remain firmly in the fight.
With just nine points separating second through eighth, the leaderboard remains incredibly compressed heading into the final day.
Looking ahead, Gielen was under no illusions about how open the regatta remains.
“I think it still looks completely open. Stig and Django both look very strong on the racecourse.”
After two different days on the Bay of Hyères, the fleet is expected to face lighter conditions tomorrow, with two races hoped for before the 2026 Cape 31 Mediterranean Series finale comes to a close.
After six races, La Pericolosa holds the advantage — but with the chasing pack tightly grouped behind them, there is still everything to play for.
Photography: Sailing Energy
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