Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta Silver Jubilee Cup goes to Moat and Liberty Squared

The 2026 edition of the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta, organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda with the support of title sponsor Giorgio Armani for the fifth consecutive year, concluded with a final race that rewarded all 17 superyachts taking part. A north-easterly breeze of 7 to 12 knots allowed for a 16.4-mile race within the La Maddalena channel, which proved equally challenging in terms of tactics, navigation and manoeuvring, with frequent changes of headsails keeping crews hard at work.

The Swan 115 Moat and the Southern Wind 96 Liberty Squared, winners in the Blue and White classes respectively, now etch their names on the Silver Jubilee Cup. 

Second place in the Blue class went to the SW 108 Gelliceaux on 14 points, which today secured an excellent second place behind the unbeatable Moat, owned by YCCS member Juan Ball with tactician Cole Parada. Also finishing on 14 points were the Briand 108 Inoui in third, owned by YCCS member Marco Vogele with Gavin Brady as tactician, and fourth-placed 39-metre Tripp yacht Cervo, making its debut at the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta.

Juan Ball, owner of Moat: “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. I would like to thank Giorgio Armani for their support of the regatta, and the YCCS — of which I am a member and which I love dearly - for the organisation, and all the participants who return every year regardless of who wins. This is a unique regatta, thanks to the spirit that sets it apart and the extraordinary location where it takes place.”

In the White class, another win today cemented the lead for the SW 96 Liberty Squared, with Bouwe Bekking on tactics. Second place overall went to Nostromo, followed by Sørvind by Giorgio Armani with tactician Tommaso Chieffi, who delivered an excellent second-place finish today, just 41 seconds behind the winner.

“It’s been a fantastic week; this is my fifth time taking part in the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta and it’s always a wonderful week. We were lucky with the weather, managing to race on all four days. The Race Committee did an excellent job of keeping the fleet together along the race course. Sailing alongside the other boats, so close together, was truly thrilling and fun at the same time.” commented Carlo Pirzio Biroli, owner of Liberty Squared.

The Corinthian division was won by the Dubois 100 Nostromo, ahead of Sørvind by Giorgio Armani in second place and Magic Blue in third.

 The Southern Wind Trophy, reserved for boats from the shipyard, naturally went to the SW 96 Liberty Squared, followed by Gelliceaux and Kalantis, both SW 108s.

Participants in the Southern Wind Rendezvous also had a great day on the water, sailing the same course as the regatta in a relaxed atmosphere.

The 2026 edition of the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta concluded with the prize-giving ceremony in Piazza Azzurra, a busy occasion attended, as always, by all the superyacht owners and crews.

With the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta now at an end, the YCCS immediately turns its attention to the Range Rover Sardinia Cup, whose teams have already arrived in Porto Cervo for training. This iconic YCCS regatta is returning after a 14-year hiatus, and will run from 31 May to 7 June, with a practice race on 1 June.