The Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta 2022 got underway yesterday, with the 15th edition of the event officially opening the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) sporting calendar. This year sees the support of a new title sponsor, Giorgio Armani, who are present at the four day coastal racing event.
There are eighteen boats enrolled to race around the waters of the Costa Smeralda, Italy for the start of the Mediterranean superyacht sailing season. But the event was kickstarted yesterday by Mariette of 1915 and Shenandoah of Sark, who put on a show for spectators. The two classic schooners engaged in a friendly sail between Capo Ferro, and the Monaci islet before continuing past the Isola delle Bisce.
Mariette of 1915 has returned to Porto Cervo after her last participation in the Superyacht Regatta in 2019, to prove that age is just a number. The twin-masted 1915 Herreshoff schooner is one of the oldest yachts still sailing today. Meanwhile, this is the first time Shenandoah of Sark has attended the event. Alongside Kenora, the 1902 Townsend and Downey schooner will follow the racing and social events without competing.
The event will officially get underway today, 1st June, with racing continuing through till Saturday. Returning to the event this year is the WallyCento Magic Carpet Cubed, who is looking to retain her 2019 victory where she claimed her third consecutive win.
New additions to this year include, the 30.5-metre Southern Wind Morgana and the 28.3-metre Bullitt. The Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta will also see the 33-metre yachts Inoui and Win-Win, the 29-metre Wally Magic Blue and the 32-metre sloop Ribelle competing.
The Southern Wind Rendezvous and Trophy will also take place at the event with boats from the shipyard looking to sail in the Sardinian waters. Five yachts are enrolled in this category: the SW 82s Ammonite and Feelin’ Good, the SW 100 Cape Arrow, the SW 102 EgiWave and the SW 96 Sorceress.
Michael Illbruck, Commodore of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda commented, “We are delighted to open the sporting season in Porto Cervo with the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta. It will, as always, be thrilling to see the imposing superyacht fleet lined up along the dock and sailing through the islands of the La Maddalena archipelago.”
The first starting signal is scheduled for today at 12:30pm with the forecast set to give variable winds of 5 to 8 knots. Over the course of this week, SuperYacht Times will be reporting an exclusive insight of the event, with daily roundups, social media stories and exclusive interviews as a media partner of the event.