The SW Rendezvous and Trophy concludes with a victorious Liberty

There may not have been many knots of wind but today’s closing regatta was not lacking in infinite manoevers, tactics, changes of sail.

Gennakers up, gennakers down, genoas unfurled and trimmed and full focus on a course that went and returned via the same route along the channel between the main island of Sardinia and Caprera, Santo Stefano and La Maddalena.

A drop of wind close to the round mark in the area of Spargi island required incredible concentration for the crews to maintain their position against the adversaries, and then, the upwind leg proved to be marked by wind shifts requiring quick adaptability.

The Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta which includes the Southern Wind Rendezvous and Trophy concluded four races in four days, each one different, each one unfolding across the unforgettable turquoise and deep-blue waters of the Maddalena Archipelago. 

SW96 Liberty takes the overall Southern Wind Trophy for 2026, after four days of consistent performance, sharp tactics and seamless maneuvers. She is followed by SW108 Gelliceaux, with the owners and crew delivering a focused and competitive regatta, and SW108 Kalantis, which secures third place at her very first regatta, climbing the ranks impressively fast. 

At the prizegiving ceremony Liberty owner was also on stage to collect the joint Silver Jubilee cup with great pride.

The Southern Wind awards this year went to SW100 Starfall for the best Southern Wind Spirit of fun sailing and with the youngest crew on board, to SW100 Grillo Parlante for Renewing the Legacy by fully refitting in a beautiful manner an older Southern Wind Yacht and for their continuous joyful mark left on this event, to SW100 Freebird for Best Boat Handling, having hosted the Southern Wind Academy on board, and finally the prized Willy Persico Award was given to SW82 Grande Orazio for the long and successful relationship her owner has with Southern Wind and the Southern Wind family.

We wish to thank the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda for organizing and for keeping a big fleet of amazing superyachts together, giving us all a memorable show.

Thank you to title Sponsor Giorgio Armani and to all our valuable partners for their contribution to another successful edition.