Four was the perfect number at the 2026 Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta. Four days of racing. Four races completed. Four days during which the Costa Smeralda revealed its finest side.
For those who, like Top Yacht Design, followed the event from Porto Cervo, the feeling was that of witnessing something that went beyond a simple sailing competition. The waters of Sardinia, where we sailed aboard a Bluegame BGF45, became an open-air catwalk showcasing some of the most authoritative names in contemporary yacht design alongside some of the biggest figures in international sailing.
The perfect stage for a regatta bearing the name of Giorgio Armani and which, much like a haute couture collection, succeeds every year in combining elegance, personality and the pursuit of excellence. Organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda with the support of Giorgio Armani as title sponsor for the fifth consecutive year, the event officially opened the Mediterranean superyacht season, once again placing Porto Cervo at the center of the international stage. It is an event that continues to stand out for its ability to blend competition, conviviality and elegance, attracting a fleet of 17 sailing superyachts, among the most beautiful currently afloat.
The Best of Yacht Design
The regatta also offered a rare opportunity to observe, side by side on the water, some of the most influential schools of thought in contemporary yacht design. Among the islands of the La Maddalena Archipelago, different design visions competed against one another, united by a common pursuit of excellence.
Leading the way was Bill Tripp, designer of the 39-metre Cervo, built by Vitters and making her Porto Cervo debut at this year’s edition. The signature of German Frers—arguably the designer who more than anyone else has shaped the modern history of both racing and cruising yachts—was proudly displayed on the Swan 115 Moat, winner of the Blue Class for the third consecutive year.
Equally significant was the presence of Nauta Design, a studio that for years has been one of the leading references in the world of large sailing yachts. The signature of Mario Pedol and Massimo Gino could be seen on numerous yachts within the Southern Wind fleet, beginning with the new SW108 Kalantis, recently launched in Cape Town and one of the stars of the week, and extending to Morgana and several other models that testify to the long-standing relationship between the South African shipyard and the Milan-based design studio.
Completing the picture were other names that have written fundamental chapters in the history of international yacht design. From Reichel/Pugh, creators of some of the most successful contemporary racer-cruisers, to Farr Yacht Design, the studio founded by the legendary Bruce Farr, whose work revolutionized the very concept of the modern racing yacht. Not forgetting the signature of Ed Dubois, designer of the 100-foot Nostromo and a key figure in the evolution of maxi yachts from the 1980s onwards.
A Hall of Fame of World Sailing
If the yachts themselves provided a spectacular show, the technical level of the event once again confirmed why Porto Cervo is considered one of the world capitals of sailing. The starting line of the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta resembled a true floating hall of fame.
On board the Blue Class winner, the Swan 115 Moat owned by Juan Ball, tactics were handled by Argentine sailor Cole Parada—the brother of Guillermo Parada, well known as helmsman of the TP52 Azzurra. One of the most respected professionals on the international superyacht circuit, Cole is among the most accomplished sailors in the sport. Throughout his career, he has won nine world titles in the Cadet, Snipe, Maxi Yacht, Soto 40 and TP52 classes. He represented Argentina at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in the Tornado class and later served as coach of the Argentine Olympic team at Athens 2004.
He has been involved in some of the most prestigious professional sailing campaigns, including Team Azzurra, one of the most successful teams in the 52 Super Series, and Victory Challenge in the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup. Together with Mateo Garralda, he also coached Santiago Lange and Cecilia Carranza, the legendary gold medal winners in the Nacra 17 class at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Today he continues to work with the Argentine Olympic sailing team.
Racing aboard the Briand 108 Inoui was Gavin Brady, the New Zealand sailor who took part in six America’s Cup campaigns, in addition to competing in both the Whitbread and Volvo Ocean Race. On board the new Kalantis was Cameron Appleton, another prominent America’s Cup sailor and a well-known figure in international competition. Sailing aboard the SW96 Liberty Squared was Bouwe Bekking, an offshore sailing legend with eight round-the-world campaigns between the Whitbread and Volvo Ocean Race. On the SW94 Magic Blue was Luis Doreste, a two-time Olympic gold medallist for Spain and one of the historic figures of international sailing.
No less prestigious was the presence of Tommaso Chieffi aboard SØRVIND by Giorgio Armani. A world champion in several classes, Olympic sailor in the 470 class alongside his brother Enrico, and veteran of numerous America’s Cup campaigns—including Il Moro di Venezia in San Diego in 1992—Chieffi remains one of the icons of Italian sailing over the past forty years. Alongside him was ocean sailor Emily Nagel, both invited to give Giorgio Armani’s guests the opportunity to experience the regatta firsthand aboard the yacht carrying the brand’s name.
The list of champions continued with Jesper Bank, winner of three Olympic medals including two golds at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, serving as tactician aboard the Dubois-designed 100-foot Nostromo; Matt Humphries, veteran of the Volvo Ocean Race and key figure of the Southern Wind Sailing Academy aboard Freebird; Alicia Ageno; and numerous other professionals from the world’s leading sailing circuits. The overall level of expertise transformed every race into a contest decided by seconds and tactical choices.
An Event to Remember
The 2026 edition was special for another reason as well: it marked the twentieth anniversary of the Southern Wind Rendezvous & Trophy, which forms part of the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta. Created twenty years ago by Southern Wind to bring together its community of owners on an annual basis, it has become an event within the event. It added a more intimate and family-oriented dimension to the programme without sacrificing the technical quality that has always characterized the South African builder’s fleet.
Of the large Southern Wind contingent present, seven yachts took part in the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta and four joined the Rendezvous, which followed the same course but in a more relaxed, non-competitive format.
The four races offered dramatically different conditions. The opening day featured a 14-knot Mistral breeze guiding the fleet along a 28-nautical-mile coastal course among the islands of La Maddalena. On the following day, the wind increased to nearly 20 knots, delivering one of the most appreciated sailing experiences of the week. Then came the light and unstable breezes of the final two races, demanding constant sail changes, careful reading of the racecourse and total concentration from tacticians and crews alike.
In every condition, however, the fleet remained remarkably compact, creating spectacular images of superyachts over thirty metres long engaged in close duels amid the turquoise waters of the archipelago. If Kalantis represented the future, Liberty Squared embodied the continuity of Southern Wind’s winning tradition. Thanks to an impeccable week, the 96-footer owned by Carlo Pirzio Biroli captured both the White Class title and the Southern Wind Trophy, confirming herself as one of the most competitive yachts in the fleet.
“It has been a fantastic week. We were fortunate with the weather conditions, and the Race Committee did an excellent job in keeping the fleet together. Sailing so close to the other yachts was exciting and fun at the same time,” commented the owner during the prize-giving ceremony.
In the Blue Class, as already mentioned, Moat once again stole the spotlight.
“It is the result of a constant process of improvement carried out on the yacht throughout the year,” said owner Juan Ball. “This is a unique regatta, both for the spirit that defines it and for the extraordinary location in which it takes place.”
Beyond the racing itself, Porto Cervo enjoyed a week filled with social events that further reinforced the exclusive character of the regatta. From morning breakfasts at the Giorgio Armani Mare pop-up in Piazza Azzurra to the traditional Southern Wind Owners’ Dinner at Li Capanni, from Giorgio’s evening on the terrace of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda to the Sunset Party at the Ea Bianca Resort.
These moments helped create the distinctive balance between sport and lifestyle that remains one of the hallmarks of the event.
Summing up the essence of the regatta perfectly were the words of Andrea Recordati, Commodore of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda:
“I believe the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta offers a perfect balance between sporting activity, the pleasure of sailing and moments of sharing among owners and crews. We are also delighted that Southern Wind can celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Rendezvous & Trophy with us here in Porto Cervo.”
And that is probably the key to the success of a regatta that continues to be unlike any other. For four days, the Costa Smeralda became a catwalk on the water where extraordinary yachts, Olympic champions, America’s Cup veterans and passionate owners all came together. A place where the sea provided the scenery, the wind directed the action and sailing became a universal language.
Just as in Giorgio Armani’s finest creations, elegance and substance sailed the very same course.
Matteo Zaccagnino
