Four days of racing in Ilhabela, in São Paulo state, mark the next outing for the Inaê Soto40 in the 2026 season. Leading ORC Performance in the Mitsubishi Cup, the team from Santos will be at the circuit's third leg on 21, 22, 28 and 29 September, at the Yacht Club de Ilhabela (YCI), aiming to defend first place in the class.
Skippered by Bayard Umbuzeiro Neto, Inaê arrives at the leg after finishing second in the previous round. The crew scored 13 points, against nine for the winner Phytoervas 4Z and 17 for third-placed Onda. The result secured the team the lead in the cumulative standings after the first two legs.
That position puts Inaê back in contention for the Mitsubishi Cup title. In 2025 the team finished the season as ORC Performance runner-up and, this year, is looking to move up one place in the final standings.
"We are very happy with this result. The leg brought together some of the leading crews in Brazilian offshore sailing and showed that we are on the right track. Leading the championship is the consequence of work that has been built race after race, with a committed crew that is more aligned all the time," said skipper Bayard Umbuzeiro Neto.
With two weekends scheduled for the third leg, the crew faces a run of races that could have a direct impact on the class standings. Inaê is sponsored by the Port of Santos, through Brazil's Sports Incentive Law.
"We know Sailing Week will be an enormous challenge. The level in ORC keeps rising, with very well prepared crews. That is why this result in the Mitsubishi Cup carries special value. It shows we are improving and arriving strong for the most important competition on the calendar," added Bayard Neto.
About Inaê Soto40 Transbrasa
Inaê Soto40 Transbrasa is supported by the Port of Santos, through the Sports Incentive Law. The Port of Santos is the largest port complex in Latin America and a national reference in development, logistics and Brazil's connection with the world.
About Eldorado Brasil
Eldorado Brasil Celulose, part of the J&F Group, is recognised globally for its operational excellence and its commitment to sustainability, the result of a qualified team of more than 5,000 employees. An innovator in forest management and pulp production, it produces 1.8 million tonnes of high quality pulp a year, meeting the most demanding standards and certifications of the international market. Its industrial complex in Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul, also has the capacity to generate renewable energy sufficient to supply a city of 2.1 million inhabitants. In Santos, São Paulo, it operates EBLog, one of the most modern port terminals in Latin America, exporting to more than 40 countries. The company maintains a strong commitment to sustainability, innovation, competitiveness and valuing people.
By: Redação Mundo Mar
Photo: Aline Bassi
