CRIOULA Crowned Champion of the 2026 Rolex South Atlantic Circuit

30 January, 2026 - Buenos Aires & Punta del Este - One of the most anticipated sailing events of the year, the 2026 Rolex South Atlantic Circuit for ORC and ORC Sportboat classes, concluded with the traditional Vuelta a la Isla Gorriti (Round Gorriti Island Race). The event took place in Punta del Este, Uruguay, co-organized by the Yacht Club Argentino and the Yacht Club Punta del Este, with Rolex as title sponsor.

The competition began on Saturday, January 24, with the historic Buenos Aires–Punta del Este Regatta, which this year celebrated the 75th anniversary of its first edition, held in 1951.

This year’s circuit featured 50 boats and more than 450 sailors, competing in the ORC and ORC Sportboat classes and representing Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina.

The championship concluded with the Round Gorriti Island Race, which attracted large crowds and featured a new course of approximately 17.5 nautical miles. Conditions were ideal, with full sunshine and an east-southeasterly wind that gradually built to 15–16 knots, remaining steady until the finish.

The award ceremony for the winners of the 2026 Rolex South Atlantic Circuit was held at the Yacht Club Punta del Este.

Overall and Class Winners

The ORC 1 Formula champion and overall Performance Division winner was Eduardo Plass’s CRIOULA, which also secured overall victory in the circuit, earning its skipper the event’s top prize: a Rolex watch.

Second place went to Carlos Belchor Costa’s SANDOKAN, while Fernando Chain’s MAC completed the podium and also claimed victory in the Round Gorriti Island Race within the category.

In the Cruiser/Racer Division – ORC 1, first place went to Pablo Mafei’s AMÉRICA DEL SUR.

In ORC 2, David Said’s LLANERO claimed first place in the Performance Division and also won the Round Gorriti Island Race. Augusto Cortina’s MAD MAX ROCK HAUS finished second, while YCU’s BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD placed third and also won the Cruiser/Racer Division of the ORC 2 class.

In the ORC 90 Division (ORC 2), the winner was Gabriel Terrado’s CONI M.

In ORC 3, Nicolás Bartolucci’s MAGO secured victory in the Cruiser/Racer Division and the Round Gorriti Island Race, followed by Francisco Hariri’s LADINO in second place. Juan Carlos Benítez’s MISTERIO 1 completed the podium in third.

The ORC 3 Performance Division was won by PANIC ATTACK, skippered by Favio Bollorino.

In the ORC Sportboat class, PANTERA, skippered by Guillermo Pla and Fernando Castro, took overall victory and also won the Vuelta a la Isla Gorriti. Second and third places went to COYOTE (Berenbau / Siedemburg) and RUSECTO 1 (Guillermo Vallarino / Eduardo Parra), respectively.

The Mail Ship Cup (Cinta Azul) was once again won by CRIOULA, skippered by Eduardo Plass, after taking line honours in the Buenos Aires–Punta del Este Regatta.

The award for the boat from the farthest port went to SACI, skippered by Mauro Dottori and Fabio Cotrim.

The Best Female Crew Award was presented to CUTTY SARK, crewed by Bellini, Alzola, Santos, García, and Rinaldi.

The award for Youngest Crew Member was shared by Gregorio Belli (DOUBLE BLACK) and Felipe Hariri (LADINO).

To view all results, click here.

The event was supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Uruguay, the National Directorate of Hydrography of Uruguay, and the Departmental Government of Maldonado.