Sun, strategy and shifting breeze open the Southern Wind Rendezvous and Trophy 2026

A near-perfect day on the water set the tone for the opening of the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta and Southern Wind Rendezvous in Porto Cervo.

At the 10:00 skipper’s briefing, Race 1 courses were confirmed: a 28-nautical-mile course for the SY White and SY Blue fleets, and a shortened 22-nautical-mile course for the four Rendezvous entries. The superyachts first had to pass through the Bisce with Tre Monti to starboard and then headed to Monaci Rocks for the long leg South when all the gennakers were flying. Then around Soffi Island towards the finish line just off the Porto Cervo entrance.

SW96 Liberty delivered a standout performance securing a solid second place in the SY White Racing Class.

Owner Carlo Pirzio Biroli described challenging and highly variable conditions: “It is great to be back in Porto Cervo. Tricky conditions today: light winds, stronger winds and a bit of a ‘bungy’ situation here and there with shifting winds but overall good and lots of fun. I don’t think we could have sailed it better, with good manoeuvres and made no mistakes with well executed sail changes. Light breeze downwind is as always the challenge.”

Third in the SY White Class, after an equally satisfying race, was SW105 SØRVIND by Giorgio Armani.

SW94 Magic Blue held a strong position for much of the race, but Owner Tonino Cacace is aiming for a better result: “We were very fast at the start but we were a bit too close to the line. Nevertheless we had a fabulous regatta until the wind died. We were hoping for a better result today but tomorrow we will do better.”

SW108 Gelliceaux was the first Southern Wind yacht to cross the finish line, claiming top honours among sisterships and securing second place overall in the SY Blue Class for Race 1. Captain Clive Walker said on the dock after returning to harbour: “It was fun, it was great, it had it all, ups and downs, comparable to a game of ‘Snakes & Ladders’, but all in all we got the result we were looking for! And we are absolutely happy!”

RP-NAUTA100 Morgana finished fourth in her class and reported a positive start to the regatta, with the team already focused on refining strategy and tactics ahead of Day 2. Long-time team member and tactician on board, Gabriele Bruni, better known as “Ganga”, was all smiles standing on the transom: “It was a fantastic race, starting with 12 knots of wind and then flying with 16–17 knots. We finished 4th but we raced at best and satisfied. We did a post race de-brief and have room for improvement tomorrow.”

The Rendezvous fleet, Starfall, Freebird, No Rush and Grande Orazio, set off 35 minutes after the racing superyachts. Sailing a shorter course, they converged with the main fleet at the Monaci Rocks mark, adding a dynamic visual element to the day’s racing.

After a full day in the Sardinian sun, crews returned to Porto Cervo to dock, debrief and prepare for the evening’s highlight: the Southern Wind Owners’ Dinner at the stunning Li Capanni resort on the north coast. Owners, crews, sponsors and the Southern Wind team enjoyed a memorable evening featuring a traditional dinner and speeches, as well as the presentation of the Blue Design Awards 2026 Sailing Yacht of the Year.

The prestigious prize was awarded to SW108 Kalantis, a true recognition of her beautiful design, refined interiors and innovative concepts.