Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) unveiled its yacht racing events 2026 sporting calendar for the 2026 season. This landmark event brought together approximately 200 members, partners, sailors, and journalists at Casa Gessi, marking a vibrant milestone for the prestigious luxury yacht club and international sailing community.
A season packed with iconic events
Princess Zahra Aga Khan, President of the YCCS Board of Directors, opened the event by recalling the achievement of her father, Aga Khan IV, who founded the club in 1967. Highlighting values such as excellence, innovation, and respect for the sea, she underscored YCCS’s role as a leader in the global international sailing regattas scene. Commodore Andrea Recordati then took the floor to reaffirm the club’s commitment to following the founder’s long-term vision, also announcing the return of the Range Rover Sardinia Cup after years of absence, restoring one of YCCS’s most emblematic regattas.
The club’s new Secretary General and Sports Director, Giorgio Benussi, together with Eleonora Cottarelli, Sky Sport journalist and event moderator, outlined the key fixtures running from spring through autumn, including the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta and the Rolex TP52 World Championship, both of which confirm YCCS’s dedication to top-level competition within the superyacht regatta calendar.
Youth initiatives and future development
The YCCS 2026 season is not solely focused on the present — it also looks ahead, with particular attention to the next generation. The announcement of the new Young Azzurra initiative reflects a strong commitment to nurturing young sailing talent and giving them the opportunity to compete at the highest levels of professional sailing competitions. The project will be supported by Pietro Zucchetti, a sailor with Olympic experience, who will guide young athletes along their professional development journey.
A special tribute as the grand finale
The highlight of the presentation was the new perpetual trophy dedicated to His Highness Aga Khan IV, crafted by the prestigious jewellery house Buccellati. This award will be presented annually during the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, symbolising the enduring bond between the club’s founder and YCCS itself.
In closing, the event once again demonstrated the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s commitment to promoting competitive sailing not merely as a sport, but as a union of excellence, tradition, and innovation — one that looks to the future with determination and consistency, strengthening its positioning among the world’s leading luxury yacht club institutions.
