The Classic Course Begins: Giraglia Fleet Heads for Genoa
SAINT-TROPEZ, FRANCE, 17 June 2026 – The 73rd Loro Piana Giraglia offshore race commenced today at noon, launching the fleet on one of the Mediterranean’s great classic courses from Saint-Tropez to Genoa via the Giraglia Rock.
Organised by Yacht Club Italiano in collaboration with Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, and under the guidance of the Federazione Italiana Vela and the Fédération Française de Voile, this year’s race saw an international fleet leave the Gulf of Saint-Tropez under clear blue skies. A light easterly wind created mild upwind conditions, likely the only time the fleet will face such conditions throughout the race.
The fleet consists of powerful Maxis up to 30 metres long, timeless classics, high-performance raceboats, and smaller yachts under 10 metres. Nearly a thousand sailors from 45 nations across six continents are participating.
First held in 1953, the Loro Piana Giraglia serves as a historic connection between France and Italy. As the race began, the Maxis were the first to start, with Lindsay Owen Jones’ Verdier 100 Magic Carpet E and Benussi Furio’s Don Jones 100 ARC SGR making strong starts at over ten knots. Other notable participants included Capricorno, My Song, and Proteus. The fleet’s positioning north of the rhumb line indicates a challenging route ahead.
Leopard 3, a leading contender in the Maxi fleet, did not start due to a private matter but all crew are safe and well, and the team has the full support of the organisers.
Navigator Silvio Arrivabene, sailing on Giovanni Lombardi Stronati’s Wallyrocket 51 Django, discussed the race’s weather conditions. He stated that the initial breeze would likely be from the south-southwest, creating a broad reach at the start. The primary goal will be to maintain wind pressure as long as possible, though predictions vary regarding wind shifts that could affect their approach to the Giraglia Rock.
Arrivabene noted the importance of managing transitions rather than just focusing on boat speed. Sail changes, from windseeker to Code Zero and back, will be crucial, especially as they approach Genoa where conditions can become unpredictable.
The principal offshore prizes for the race include the Loro Piana Challenge Trophy for the overall winner on corrected time, line honours for the first yacht to finish in Genoa, and the Trofeo Beppe Croce for the first boat to round the Giraglia Rock. Additional prizes will be awarded across IRC and ORC divisions.
Yacht Club Italiano President Carlo Cameli emphasised the significance of the Giraglia, stating it is a race every sailor aspires to complete. He encouraged participants to enjoy the experience while racing with respect and sportsmanship, appreciating the tradition and the new memories each edition creates.
Follow the race progress through the Loro Piana Giraglia Race Tracker, which offers live position data and rankings for the fleet throughout the event: https://pro.yb.tl/loropiana2026
Organisation
The Loro Piana Giraglia is organised by the Yacht Club Italiano, in cooperation with the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, under the patronage of the Yacht Club de France, Yacht Club Sanremo and Yacht Club de Monaco, and with the support of the Union Nationale pour la Course au Large (UNCL) and the International Maxi Association (IMA). The event is supported by the City of Saint-Tropez, the City of Genoa, and the Liguria Region. It is a qualifying event for the IRC-UNCL Mediterranean Championship and part of the 2026 Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Challenge.
The Loro Piana Giraglia
Since its inception on July 11, 1953, with 22 boats covering a 196-mile course, the Giraglia has evolved into a legendary offshore race. Participation has grown, with the fastest recorded time belonging to Igor Simcic’s Esimit Europa 2, achieving 14 hours, 56 minutes, and 16 seconds in 2012. The format has remained stable, with a gathering in Saint-Tropez, coastal races, and the 241-nautical-mile challenge finishing in Genoa after rounding the Giraglia Rock.
Loro Piana has been the title partner of the Loro Piana Giraglia since 2024.
All information available on the event website: loropianagiraglia.com
#LoroPianaGiraglia #YachtClubItaliano
Interested in seeing more Racing News? Click here
