GENOA, ITALY, 18 June 2026 – Line honours for the 73rd Loro Piana Giraglia concluded dramatically in the Gulf of Genoa, home of the Yacht Club Italiano. Furio Benussi’s ARCA SGR from Trieste, Italy, captured line honours after a fierce contest with Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones’ Magic Carpet E. ARCA SGR crossed the finish line with an elapsed time of 1 day, 1 hour, 5 minutes and 56 seconds, finishing just 5 minutes and 11 seconds ahead of Magic Carpet E.
This event continues the historical rivalry between these two yachts, with ARCA SGR previously winning line honours in 2021 and Magic Carpet having a legacy of victories in the race, including narrowly missing line honours last year by just 2 minutes and 13 seconds.
Despite expectations for light conditions, the leading Maxis performed impressively, turning the 2026 edition into an exciting and fast contest, showcasing one of the Mediterranean’s most prestigious offshore challenges.
ARCA SGR’s skipper, Furio Benussi, reflected on the significance of this victory. He noted the thrill of winning a race that has shaped Italian offshore sailing history, highlighting the team’s ability to navigate tricky conditions effectively, particularly towards Genoa. He shared that young sailors from their youth project were onboard, making the win even more special for the crew.
Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, owner of Magic Carpet E, expressed the emotional rollercoaster of the race, highlighting the unpredictability of weather conditions in the Mediterranean and the tactical decisions required to succeed. Ian Walker, racing with Magic Carpet E, commented on the duel with ARCA SGR, noting the variable wind conditions that made the race particularly challenging and exhilarating.
Finishing third was Pier Luigi Loro Piana’s ClubSwan 80 My Song, followed by George Sakellaris’ JV72 Proteus in fourth, and Alessandro Del Bono’s JV80 Capricorno in fifth. Most of the fleet is expected to finish later tonight, with overall victories under IRC and in the IRC and ORC classes still to be decided.
The Loro Piana Giraglia is organised by the Yacht Club Italiano, in cooperation with the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, and forms part of the 2026 Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Challenge, making it a vital event on the sailing calendar for participants and spectators alike.
All information available on the event website: loropianagiraglia.com
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