3 min read

There are many ways to network when you’re in a globally-focused program like the International MBA. Global Immersion Month is a notable example, while practical, client-facing projects, experiential labs, alumni events and after-class forums offer more regular interactions. 

However, one extracurricular activity that’s easy to overlook is student clubs. For Marco Albimonti, joining the IE Sailing Club helped him address two distinct challenges: the wish to meet new people and enjoy new experiences, and the desire to see just how far his love for the water could take him.

How do IE Clubs work?

The university is home to over 150 clubs, catering to a broad range of hobbies and interest areas. Cumulatively, they host more than 1,500 events every year. 

But what makes them unique? Every club is entirely student-led, meaning they are conceived, started and operated entirely by members of our student body. And when you’re talking about a multifaceted community representing diverse nationalities and backgrounds, there’s bound to be an eclectic variety to choose from.

So, if you’ve ever been passionate about the high seas, you’ll find a community of like-minded individuals in the IE Sailing Club—no experience required. It’s the place to learn about yachts, practice trimming the sails and participate in social and competitive events. The latter are usually popular with more experienced sailors like Marco, taking participants around the Iberian peninsula and islands like Sardinia, Malta and beyond.  

Exceeding expectations in Sardinia

This year, IE Sailing Club—with the support of IE Business School—sent yet another winning team to the prestigious 2025 POLIMI Graduate School of Management (GSoM) Regatta. Part of the global MBA Global Sailing League, the event welcomed contestants from 25 top business schools to compete in a four-day challenge held from May 8th to 11th at Cala dei Sardi marina along the Sardinian coast.   

It was a tough test of wills from the start, as only the best of the best rise through the rankings to participate in this regatta. But our Division A crew—comprising both current students and IE Alumni—quickly rose to the top of the table.

IE Sailing Club dominated every race of this event to clinch the 2025 POLIMI GSoM Regatta title.

Marco led the team to victory, proving what happens when passion and skill collide. “Charting new waters in the POLIMI GSoM Regatta made me proud to be part of IE Business School,” he says.

The most unique way to network?

According to Marco, this event was about celebrating “teamwork, strategy and the thrill of the regatta.” It was a chance to bring business leaders together, united by the spirit of friendly competition and a shared appreciation for sailing. 

But the regatta went beyond the waters, creating a unique networking opportunity for the varied group of attendees—from executives to entrepreneurs and business professionals just beginning their careers. So, when they weren’t competing, they were forging new connections through sharing meals, attending conference sessions and having a fun time at the after-dinner events.

As professional forums go, this was certainly one of the most unique. But Marco calls it an “amazing event” overall.

What’s next for IE Sailing Club?

After an excellent showing in Sardinia, club members are already gearing up for the next leg of the MBA Sailing League. Two events are already on the books, including:

1. The RSM MBA Regatta 2025, Malta

2. The IE Regatta 2025, Portugal

The team is on a roll, and the summer promises more wins ahead.

Finding balance on and off the water

Being part of the IE Sailing Club is no small commitment for Marco, who combines training sessions and regattas with the demanding schedule of the International MBA. Balancing early mornings on the water with late nights of studying requires discipline and focus. Marco manages it with steady determination, making sure neither his academic nor his club responsibilities are left adrift.

As any IE Business School student or alum knows, building your career doesn’t have to follow a conventional path.

Leaning into your passions and interests could expose you to unique people and spaces, allowing you to make connections that will truly push you forward.

The POLIMI GSoM Regatta is a great example of this, showing that becoming the Next Best You won’t just fulfill you—it will give you the opportunities and network to build a standout profile.