2024 edition of the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta set to start

A welcome cocktail set on the panoramic terrace of the YCCS officially opens the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta today, an event in which a shared passion for the sea sees the YCCS and Giorgio Armani join forces for a third consecutive year. This is the 17th edition of the Superyacht Regatta and, as has been the case for the past four years, the Southern Wind Rendezvous, reserved for yachts from the homonymous shipyard, will be an integral part of proceedings.

The fleet of sailing superyachts taking part will leave the docks in front of the yacht club tomorrow morning for the starting line, before navigating in and around the islands of the La Maddalena archipelago, following courses set by the Race Committee based on wind conditions. The programme on the water will conclude on Saturday 8th June with the prize-giving ceremony in Piazza Azzurra where the Armani pop-up boutique will be open for the duration of the event, allowing participants and the public to discover the Giorgio Armani Mare collection.

In addition to the sailing, which sees crews made up of families and friends supported by some sailing professionals in a spirit of friendly competition, the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta is also brimming with exclusive social events. The most anticipated moment of the week will be the Owners’ Dinner, by invitation only, on the evening of 5th June at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. A four-hands dinner will be realised by the YCCS chefs, with a menu designed by Michelin-starred chef Massimo Tringali of the Emporio Armani Restaurant in Paris. Not to be missed the following day is the Southern Wind “Night in Blue” dinner in the characteristic village of San Pantaleo, and the sunset Beach Party taking place in the scenic surrounds of the Cone Club in Baja Sardinia. Once back on the docks each day, owners and crews can gather at the pop-up Giorgio Armani Mare store in the Piazza Azzurra for a post-race aperitif and to exchange stories of the thrills on the water.

“Porto Cervo is a real gem, made utterly unique thanks to its special position: a village immersed in nature and surrounded by waters of the most unbelievable colour. This is where the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta takes place, now in its third edition; an exciting sporting event that allows us to bring a little part of my world to this place, in my favourite season.” commented Giorgio Armani.

Among the boats taking part, a duel is expected between the Southern Wind RP 100 Morgana, owned by Francesco De Santis, with double Olympic gold-medal winner Luis Doreste on board, and the Swan 115 Moat, owned by YCCS member Juan Ball and with Argentinian champion Guillermo Parada calling tactics, while the dock will also host the Solaris 111 CeFeA by Marc Giorgetti, majority shareholder of the Aquileia-based shipyard. A strong fleet will be in attendance representing the Southern Wind shipyard, founded 33 years ago by Italian Willy Persico and specialised in the construction of high-performance sailing yachts of 100 to 120 feet (approx. 30 metres and above). This will include, in particular, debut outings for two SW96 yachts, Liberty and Nymba GT, the first yacht from the shipyard boasting a hybrid engine, the result of in-depth research and technological development aimed at making Southern Wind sailing yachts ever-more sustainable. Also attending is the SW82 Grande Orazio, owned by YCCS member Massimiliano Florio.

The weather forecast indicates moderate winds from the western quadrants for the first day, decreasing and rotating northwards for Thursday, and finally moderate easterly winds for Friday, increasing somewhat for Saturday.