With the 44Cup Puntaldia, Black Star Sailing is set to begin its RC44 campaign for the 2026 season. Following the deliberate decision to skip the 44Cup season opener in Lanzarote in early February, the focus now shifts entirely to the first Mediterranean stop – and to a venue that is well established within the RC44 circuit.

The decision not to enter the event in Calero Marinas was taken in the context of extensive preparations and a broader realignment within the team. The additional time was used to fine-tune the crew line-up, align logistics with the Cape 31 programme, and build the RC44 campaign for 2026 with the necessary attention to detail. Puntaldia therefore marks not only Black Star Sailing’s first appearance in this year’s 44Cup, but also the first real performance benchmark for the newly formed team under race conditions.

Located on the north-eastern coast of Sardinia, just south of Olbia, Puntaldia is considered one of the more demanding venues in the Mediterranean. Racing is typically held close to the shoreline, with a mix of shallow coastal areas, open water and thermal influences building throughout the day. This combination creates a tactically versatile racecourse, where shifts, pressure differences and local wind effects demand precise decision-making – both upwind and downwind.

For the RC44 fleet, Puntaldia is no unfamiliar ground. The series has visited Sardinia on several occasions in recent years, and the region has proven to be a reliable host venue. Clear water, generally stable weather patterns and a well-established local organisation provide the framework for high-level racing. At the same time, the fleet remains tightly packed – small mistakes are quickly punished, and clean manoeuvres together with clear onboard communication are key.

For Black Star Sailing, the focus in Puntaldia is on translating the work done in preparation into race performance. Following the integration of new crew members and the refinement of established processes, the objective is now to establish a position within the fleet and close the gap to the leading teams.

At the same time, Black Star Sailing continues to develop across both programmes. While the Cape 31 team has already opened its season in Palma and will soon be based in the UK, the RC44 campaign will move on to events in Sweden, Great Britain and Spain. Over the coming months, both programmes will increasingly run in parallel, with the overall racing schedule gaining momentum.

As always, Black Star Sailing appreciates all support on site – Puntaldia is well worth the trip. For those following from afar, there are several ways to stay close to the action. The races can be tracked live via GPS on TracTrac and on the official 44Cup website, while the 44Cup YouTube channel provides regular video updates, interviews and on-the-water insights throughout the event.