1/9
Aug 15-23
€2,900
7 spaces available
Race with us from Palermo to Montecarlo on board VO65 Sisi! The race begins in the Gulf of Mondello in Palermo and sends the fleet north on a roughly 500-nautical-mile passage across the Tyrrhenian Sea to the finish in Monaco. Along the way crews must pass through a mandatory gate off Porto Cervo at the northern tip of Sardinia before choosing their route past Corsica and through the notoriously fickle winds of the Ligurian Sea. What makes the race special is its tactical variety. The early stages can deliver fast reaching conditions along Sicily’s coast, while the middle section around Sardinia and the Strait of Bonifacio often demands careful routing and patience in light or shifting winds. The final leg toward Monaco can turn into a high-speed dash or a slow tactical chess match, depending on the weather patterns that dominate the western Mediterranean in late summer. In just two decades the Palermo–Montecarlo has attracted an impressive international fleet, from experienced amateur crews to some of the Mediterranean’s fastest maxi yachts. The race is now part of several major offshore sailing circuits and is widely regarded as one of the season’s key offshore tests. Finishing the race is memorable in its own right. After days offshore, crews arrive off the spectacular skyline of Monaco and the iconic Yacht Club de Monaco, where the fleet gathers for a lively prize-giving and one of the most sociable finales in Mediterranean sailing. For sailors, the Palermo to Monte Carlo race offers something rare: a genuine offshore challenge combined with the atmosphere, competition and setting of one of Europe’s great yachting capitals. CHARTER AGREEMENT Each participant is responsible for their own travel arrangements, accommodation, and meals. The crew consists of professional sailors from our team who have expertise in the VO65 and will provide instruction on the boat, as well as international professional sailors and some clients. The entire crew will be divided into shifts at the beginning, so sleeping and sailing on deck will be done in shifts. Life jackets with AIS transponders are available on board. We would like to reiterate that we are powerless against unforeseen circumstances. In the event of serious damage to the ship or weather forecasts that make it impossible for us to set sail (danger to people and ship), we cannot refund the costs of missed flights, transfers, or regattas. We recommend allowing at least one extra day for your return journey. Furthermore, we advise taking out travel cancellation insurance, as short-notice changes can occur during these uncertain times. The catering (organized by us), marina mooring fee and diesel (i.e. all onboard expenses) are already included in the ticket price. Alcohol is strictly prohibited on board. When entering or transiting through other countries, please note that you may need visas, ESTA, residence permits, medical certificates, etc. Please note: Changes and postponements may occur. Therefore, we ask you to wait to book accommodations, flights, etc., until you receive final confirmation from us, so that cancellations and postponements can be avoided. For further information, please contact us.
One of the world’s most scenic offshore races, weaving from Sicily to Monaco and, if the tactician fancies it, threading through the Maddalena archipelago. But the real jewel in the crown is the beachfront hospitality from Circolo della Vela before the start, with Yacht Club de Monaco at the finish putting on a welcome that’s hard to beat.
The startline for this classic Med offshore race
This is a mandatory gate to pass through on the course. After here you can choose whether the pass Corsica to Port or Starboard!
The finish line, in the lee of the towering Monegasques skyline and cliffs
5.0/5•19 ReviewsSISI is our sporty heart. For everyone who wants to actively sail, learn new things, and challenge themselves at sea – as a team, in wind and waves. With you at the helm, saltwater on your face, and a goal in sight. OUR PROMISE TO YOU With us, you're part of the crew, not just a guest. We personally take care of your trip, your experience, and your questions. We look forward to upcoming voyages with you – to new faces and familiar friends, to speed and style, to salt and sun.
Founded by a group of young, ambitious and highly skilled Austrian yacht racers, they deliver a genuine Pro/Am experience. They campaign serious race yachts normally reserved for top-tier professional teams or the ultra-wealthy, and make them accessible to everyday sailors.
Your specific vessel is assigned based on your selected dates. All vessels meet our high standards for comfort and safety.
Volvo - VO 65
LOA: 72ft (22m)
Beginner
No sailing experience required. Perfect for newcomers.
Intermediate
Some sailing experience helpful. Comfortable on the water.
Advanced
Significant sailing experience required. Challenging conditions.
Active Crew Member
Full participation in all sailing activities.
Optional Involvement
Participate as much or as little as you like.
Passenger
Sit back and enjoy the ride.
No
All meals and cleaning are taken care of
18
This is not a passenger trip. It’s a fully immersive offshore racing experience. You’ll join the crew of VO65 Sisi, a pure-bred ocean racing yacht originally built for the Volvo Ocean Race – one of the toughest sailing competitions on the planet. These 65-foot carbon race machines were designed to cross oceans at speed in extreme conditions, and there are only a handful of them in existence. Life on board is exactly what you would expect from a professional race yacht: functional, stripped-back and focused entirely on performance. There’s no luxury interior here, just pipe cots, navigation stations and a deck built for constant sail handling and teamwork. Every person on board becomes part of the crew. You’ll rotate through watch systems, trimming sails, grinding, navigating, helming and managing sail changes alongside an experienced professional team. The boat’s powerful sail plan and canting-keel design mean exhilarating speeds and demanding manoeuvres as the crew pushes hard through the Tyrrhenian Sea. Before the start, the team runs training days so everyone becomes familiar with the boat and systems. By the time the starting gun fires in Palermo, you’ll be fully integrated into the race crew and ready to take on the challenge. The result is a rare opportunity: to experience real offshore racing on one of the world’s fastest monohull race yachts, sailing through the day and night toward Monaco as part of a competitive race crew. Expect long watches, big sail changes, adrenaline-fuelled helming, and the kind of teamwork that only offshore racing produces. For many sailors, this is as close as it gets to the experience of an Ocean Race campaign without committing to the full circumnavigation.
No optional extras
16-22°C
Mild with variable winds. Good early season.
25-32°C
Peak season. Warm, mostly calm conditions.
17-24°C
Pleasant weather, warm seas for swimming.
8-14°C
Cool with occasional storms. Off-season.
16-22°C
Mild with variable winds. Good early season.
25-32°C
Peak season. Warm, mostly calm conditions.
17-24°C
Pleasant weather, warm seas for swimming.
8-14°C
Cool with occasional storms. Off-season.
Tried and tested sailing experiences, from our pick of the world's best operators
All our trips are led by qualified skippers and sailing instructors
We only work with the most reputable sailing operators and yacht providers
Perfect for solo sailors looking to join a crew or groups wanting to charter
Our team is on-hand 24/7 to help you before, during and after your adventure
From €2,900 EUR per person
Prices shown in USD are approximate conversions, using today's conversion rate. This trip is priced by the operator in EUR and payment will be taken in EUR.