The 2026 edition of the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta recently concluded in Porto Cervo, marking the official opening of the Mediterranean big-boat racing calendar. Organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) with five consecutive years of title sponsorship from the Italian fashion house Giorgio Armani, the regatta featured four days of competitive coastal racing. Seventeen international superyachts lined up along the quays of the Porto Cervo marina, ready to contest the island-strewn pathways of the Costa Smeralda and the La Maddalena Archipelago from May 26 to May 30.
To ensure equitable competition among vessels of vast structural diversity, the fleet was separated into Blue and White divisions. This classification relied on performance parameters calculated under the ORCsy (Offshore Racing Congress Superyacht) rating system. The ORCsy is a specialized handicapping framework mathematically engineered to balance the distinct design, displacement, and sail-area attributes of large luxury yachts, allowing them to compete fairly on corrected time.
Additionally, several owners opted to compete in the Corinthian Division. This category is dedicated to teams that maintain a traditional cruising setup with a significantly reduced sail inventory, prioritizing classic seamanship over technical optimization.
Opening Volleys and Mistral Domination
Racing commenced under a steady Mistral wind blowing at approximately 14 knots. The Mistral is a powerful, cold northwesterly wind characteristic of the Sardinian coastline that frequently tests the structural limits of high-performance rigs. The Race Committee capitalized on these conditions by establishing a 28-mile opening course for both the Blue and White fleets. The route required navigating through the narrow Passo delle Bisce strait, leaving the Tre Monti shoal to starboard, rounding the Isola dei Monaci, and hoisting gennakers—large, lightweight downwind sails that combine the features of a genoa and a spinnaker—to run south past Soffi island toward the finish line.
The opening day utilized an individual staggered start system. In this pursuit-style format, yachts cross the starting line individually at timed two-minute intervals based on their handicap rating, with the slower vessels setting off first. This strategic framework forces the faster boats to physically hunt down and overtake the fleet, culminating in close-quarters tactical maneuvers as the yachts converge around narrow island marks.
On day one, Juan Ball’s Swan 115 Moat, with Cole Parada calling tactics, secured the Blue fleet victory by a slim 50 seconds on corrected time over the Southern Wind 108 Gelliceaux, while the Dubois 100 Nostromo, guided by three-time Olympic medalist Jesper Bank, claimed the top spot in both the White fleet and the Corinthian Division.
Conditions intensified on the second day of racing, with the Mistral reinforcing to a brisk 16 to 18 knots. The fleet was tasked with a demanding 33-mile coastal race, run clockwise around the perimeter of the La Maddalena Archipelago. In the Blue division, Moat demonstrated exceptional downwind performance, exceeding speeds of 16 knots to secure its second consecutive daily victory ahead of Marco Vögele’s Briand 108 Inoui. Concurrently, the White division saw the Southern Wind 96 Liberty Squared, helmed by Carlo Pirzio Biroli with veteran ocean racer Bouwe Bekking on tactics, outpace the Southern Wind 94 Magic Blue and Nostromo to capture the daily win and assert control over the provisional leaderboard.
Light-Air Nuances and Protest Drama
Day three introduced a distinct meteorological shift, as the robust northwesterly air gave way to a light southeasterly breeze that gradually veered toward the northeast throughout the afternoon. Managing a delayed, staggered start sequence that began at 1:40 p.m., the Race Committee set an 11-mile clockwise course that started and finished off the island of Caprera. Navigators were forced to carefully calculate their trajectories through the Passo delle Bisce strait and around a tactical mark positioned in the Gulf of Saline.
The Blue division standings were unexpectedly disrupted on day three when Moat was penalized following a rules protest. This penalty relegated the Swan 115 to a second-place finish for the day alongside the 39-meter Vitters-built debutant Cervo, handing the daily race victory to Inoui. However, Moat maintained its overall lead heading into the final day.
In the White division, Liberty Squared replicated its previous performance to secure another daily win, staying ahead of Nostromo and Magic Blue in the provisional rankings. At the same time, Nostromo maintained its advantage in the Corinthian standings.
Headsail Duels Define the Channel Finale
The final day of the regatta on May 30 was defined by a tactical northeast breeze fluctuating between 7 and 12 knots. The Race Committee designated a 16.4-mile course entirely within the La Maddalena channel, offering a compact arena that emphasized precise maneuvering and rapid crew coordination. The variable wind speed and shifting angles inside the channel required frequent changes to headsails—the forward-facing sails set ahead of the mast that provide aerodynamic drive and point-loading—keeping the tactical and foredeck teams under constant physical pressure.
In the Blue class, Moat recovered decisively from the previous day’s penalty to win the final race, securing its third consecutive overall title at the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta.
The Southern Wind 108 Gelliceaux delivered a consistent performance to claim second place overall for the week on 14 points, winning a close tie-breaker against the third-placed Inoui and the fourth-placed Cervo, who also finished tied on 14 points.
In the White class, Liberty Squared delivered another flawless race to cement its overall division victory and etch its name alongside Moat on the Silver Jubilee Cup. Nostromo concluded a highly consistent week to claim second place overall in the division. In contrast, third place went to the Southern Wind 105 Sørvind—chartered by title sponsor Giorgio Armani and featuring a tactical crew of Tommaso Chieffi and Mike Toppa—which finished just 41 seconds behind Liberty Squared in the final race.
Final Standings and Major Classifications
- Blue Division: 1. Moat (Swan 115); 2. Gelliceaux (Southern Wind 108); 3. Inoui (Briand 108); 4. Cervo (Vitters 39m).
- White Division: 1. Liberty Squared (Southern Wind 96); 2. Nostromo (Dubois 100); 3. Sørvind (Southern Wind 105).
- Corinthian Division: 1. Nostromo; 2. Sørvind; 3. Magic Blue (Southern Wind 94).
- Southern Wind Trophy: 1. Liberty Squared; 2. Gelliceaux; 3. Kalantis (Southern Wind 108).
A Celebration of Shipyard Heritage
Beyond the primary racing classifications, the event integrated the 20th anniversary of the Southern Wind Rendezvous. This specialized, non-competitive format allowed five non-racing Southern Wind hulls—the SW82 Grande Orazio, SW105 No Rush, SW102 Hevea, and the SW100s Freebird and Starfall—to cruise the same geographic courses as the racing fleet in a relaxed atmosphere. Owners and guests spent their days sailing in company and anchoring for lunch in the secluded bays of the La Maddalena Archipelago before returning to Porto Cervo to participate in the evening social calendar.
The onshore program complemented the on-water action with a curated series of events for owners, crews, and guests. Throughout the week, the Giorgio Armani Mare pop-up boutique remained open in the Piazza Azzurra, hosting the daily “All Together Coffee” gatherings before docking out. Evening highlights included the Welcome Cocktail on the panoramic YCCS terrace, a dedicated Southern Wind dinner at the beachside Li Capanni venue in Cannigione, the exclusive “Giorgio’s” evening for owners, and a penultimate Sunset Party hosted at the Ea Bianca Resort in Cala dei Ginepri.
Quotes from the Fleet and Forward Horizons
Reflecting on the successful defense of his title, Moat owner Juan Ball emphasized the collaborative effort required to stay atop the class. “This is our third consecutive victory in the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta, but it is the result of constant work to improve the boat throughout the year,” Ball noted. “This is a unique regatta, thanks to the spirit that sets it apart and the extraordinary location where it takes place.”
White class champion Carlo Pirzio Biroli, owner of Liberty Squared, echoed this sentiment, praising the tight parameters of the competition. “The Race Committee did an excellent job of keeping the fleet together along the race course,” he shared. “Sailing alongside the other boats, so close together, was truly thrilling and fun at the same time.”
YCCS Commodore Andrea Recordati highlighted the operational balance achieved during the week, thanking the title sponsor and noting that the event offered “a perfect balance between sporting competition, the pleasure of sailing and the enjoyment of time spent together for owners and crews.”
With the trophies distributed and the 2026 Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta officially concluded, the focus at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda immediately shifts to its next major operational fixture. The club is transitioning its race management teams to host the Range Rover Sardinia Cup, which is returning to the international racing circuit after a 14-year hiatus. Competing international teams have already arrived in the marina to begin their formal training sessions ahead of the historic team-racing event, ensuring that the elite sailing spotlight remains firmly trained on the waters of the Costa Smeralda.
Photos: Andrea Pisapia, Luca Butto - Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta 2026 Media | Words: Pablo Ferrero
