The Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta is back and will return to the beautiful Porto Cervo from 4 June to 8 June. Organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, the four-day regatta marks the start of the Mediterranean racing season and encompasses both the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta and the Southern Wind Rendezvous & Trophy. This year's entry list includes seven sailing yachts ready to race for victory in the La Maddalena Archipelago.
BOAT takes a closer look at the competitors...
Moat
Length: 35.2m
Builder: Nautor Swan
What makes her a fierce competitor?
Moat was commissioned by a highly experienced racing yacht owner and belongs to a series known as the "ultimate performance Swan" – the Swan 115. She has a long bowsprit for improved downwind performance, a retractable propeller available for the racing man in addition to a straight propeller shaft arrangement and sail handling at the push of a button. Under power, a single Sweden Marine VGT 400 diesel engine allows a cruising speed of 10 knots topping out at 12 knots.
In 2023, she was the winner of the Performance category at the Ibiza Joysail regatta and finished just two points behind second place at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in 2022.
What about her interiors?
Accommodation is for six guests in three cabins comprising a master suite and two double cabins. All cabins have en suite bathroom facilities, while the large sail locker forward can be converted into a second master suite. Interiors are minimalist and styled in shades of white and red.
Kiboko Tres
Length: 32.3m
Builder: Southern Wind
What makes her a fierce competitor?
Kiboko Tres is named after the Kenya Swahili word for "hippopotamus" to represent the yacht’s power and speed. She features a twin rudder configuration and fixed keel for extra righting movement, while Farr Yacht Design vice president Jim Schmicker said Kiboko Tres' increased sail area would be "key" to her success. A full carbon hull, deck and bulkheads also allow for significant weight saving.
What about her interiors?
A large saloon is found above the engine room while the master cabin has been placed at the bow. Three additional en suite guest cabins sit amidships. Key interior materials include oak furniture and light blue and white upholstery to achieve a "Mallorcan style".
Liberty
Length: 31.4m
Builder: Southern Wind
What makes her a fierce competitor?
The yacht is built in a carbon sandwich with a foam core and infused carbon skins for lighter weight alongside EC6+ carbon rigging and a high-modulus carbon mast and boom. Other features on board Liberty include a fixed bowsprit, twin rudders and a lifting keel that brings her draught from 5.5 metres to 3.4 metres.
What about her interiors?
The owner opted for a raised saloon configuration with a low-profile coachroof, which benefits from ample natural light via the panoramic windows and hull portlights. The saloon is full-beam while a smaller snug television lounge can be found forward to starboard. Accommodation is for six guests in a three-cabin layout including a master cabin with "ample storage space".
Morgana
Length: 30.5m
Builder: Southern Wind
What makes her a fierce competitor?
Morgana is equipped with a flush deck, high modulus carbon rig and a powerful sailplan while her underside hides a single rudder and a deep lifting keel that extends to 6.1 metres. She's capable of 30 knots downwind and logging 800 to 950 kilometres a day according to an impressive, 7,000 nautical mile maiden voyage.
What about her interiors?
Interiors are described as "fresh and contemporary yet understated", achieved through the use of light soft furnishings with warm, textured wood panelling. Accommodation is for six guests in three guest cabins including the owner's suite, which is set forward. The main saloon features a dining area to port, lounge and coffee table to starboard and a forward nook for watching television.
Padma II
Length: 30.2m
Builder: Southern Wind
What makes her a fierce competitor?
Padma II belongs to the shipyard's successful SWS 100DS series. The high-performance cruiser has an advanced composite sandwich construction that is comprised of carbon fibre, kevlar and epoxy resin. She is also equipped with carbon EC6+ rigging and can reach a maximum speed of 12 knots.
What about her interiors?
Accommodation is for eight guests across four cabins with interiors modelled "in the typical Italian style". Her deck saloon configuration offers a protected guest cockpit and a large deck house with 270-degree coach roof windows. The saloon is full beam and allows for a comfortable U-shaped sofa on the port side and a large dining area for up to 10 guests.
Nyumba
Length: 29.3m
Builder: Southern Wind
What makes her a fierce competitor?
Nyumba is the first sailing yacht of her size to be fitted with a patented HybridGen system. She features an advanced composite sandwich hull and deck, consisting of a Corecell middle lined on either side by a carbon epoxy resin inner and outer skin, with titanium deck fittings for weight saving and easy maintenance. The owner also requested shorter sunbeds so that the size of the manoeuvring area aft could be increased.
What about her interiors?
Her interior configuration follows a tried-and-tested SW96 arrangement with a forward master cabin and two en suite cabins amidships. The main saloon benefits from natural light with a sliding glass companionway hatch, large hull windows and a wide skylight that runs the length of the coachroof.
Other amenities include a 4.5-metre tender garage, an 8.5-square-metre beach club and LED lighting integrated under the coamings that give the appearance of floating after dark. Nyumba was a finalist at the BOAT Design & Innovative Awards in the "Outstanding Exterior Design" category.
Grande Orazio
Length: 24.7m
Builder: Southern Wind
What makes her a fierce competitor?
Grande Orazio is small but mighty with her high-modulus carbon fibre mast and boom, EC6+ carbon rigging and removable inner foresail furler with anti-torsion cable. She is also fitted with harken racing winches and a removable racing bowsprit, while a customised rudder blade and keel of 4.2 metres is bound to maximise performance. She won in her class at the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta in 2015 and 2014.
What about her interiors?
She has a dedicated owner’s quarters which includes a cabin and a separate studio that can be converted into a cabin with a single bunk if needed. The navigation station is located in the saloon for the owner's ease.