PORTO CERVO – The approximately 130-nautical-mile offshore race of the 2026 Range Rover Sardinia Cup reshaped the overall standings, further consolidating the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s lead thanks to victories in both competing classes. The long-distance race, held between the evening of June 3 and the morning of June 4, carried double points and could not be discarded from the final scoring. The start had originally been scheduled for 3 p.m. yesterday, but a Mistral wind exceeding 30 knots prompted the Race Committee to postpone the start until 8 p.m., waiting for conditions to ease. The fleet eventually set off at sunset in front of the Li Nibani islands, still in strong but more manageable conditions for crews and yachts.

The course, unfamiliar even to many teams accustomed to racing in the waters of Gallura, saw the fleet leave Mortorio and Soffi islands to port before heading southeast under gennaker toward an offshore waypoint to be left to starboard off San Teodoro. From there, the fleet sailed back into open water on a northeasterly course toward the Range Rover waypoint, positioned more than 35 nautical miles offshore. After rounding it to port, the yachts faced a long upwind leg to Monaci Island, reached by the leading boats around 8:30 a.m., before a reaching leg back to the finish off Porto Cervo. During the night, the Mistral gradually eased to around 18-20 knots, turning the race into a demanding offshore challenge without creating excessive risks for the crews.

In SC1, victory went to RORC’s Ino Veritas, ahead of Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s Django WR and RocketNikka representing Yacht Club Repubblica Marinara di Pisa. Further back were Lisa R, Blue and Xio, while Jolt 3 and Red Bandit were forced to retire due to technical issues. Red Bandit later announced its withdrawal from the entire event. Spirit of Lorina and Albator 3 instead chose not to compete in the offshore race, remaining moored in Porto Cervo.

Speaking after the finish, Ino Veritas tactician Dean Barker said: "The Race Committee made the right decision in postponing the start, although the long wait made preparation more difficult. It was a demanding race. The crew executed every manoeuvre perfectly and, in such a complex race, that is all you can ask for. Jolt had started very well before retiring and it would have been interesting to race them until the finish. The long planing leg toward the first mark after Soffi was exceptional."

Italian sailor Gabriele Olivo, also racing aboard Ino Veritas and a former Sardinia Cup winner, added: "I’m very happy to see the Sardinia Cup return. It’s an event I feel particularly connected to. Conditions were demanding, especially during the first part of the course, but I believe this regatta should be seen as a complete challenge, one that tests crews and yachts even in strong breeze conditions."

SC2 also saw a RORC victory thanks to the success of Swedish GP42 Garm, owned by Per Roman, ahead of Ran, another Swedish yacht competing for the RORC Gold team. Third place went to Django JP of YCCS, followed by Nola and Kuka. German yacht Neomind retired from the race. Per Roman highlighted the significance of the result: “We are extremely happy with this offshore victory, the first ever by a Swedish yacht in the history of the Sardinia Cup. My father competed in several past editions, so being here has special meaning for me. Our expectations have been exceeded: this is one of the most beautiful race courses I have ever sailed on.”

Thanks to the double victory in the offshore race, the Royal Ocean Racing Club further strengthened its lead in the team standings of the Range Rover Sardinia Cup. Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s Django team currently sits second overall, with Yacht Club Repubblica Marinara di Pisa in third place.

Tomorrow’s schedule, June 5, includes two windward-leeward races starting at 12 noon. Forecasts indicate another day of Mistral winds around 20 knots.