After three thrilling days of windward-leeward racing off the Baie de Pampelonne, the final inshore contest of the 2025 Loro Piana Giraglia saw 22 maxi yachts tackle a coastal course that tested strategy, skill, and endurance. The race began in light 8-knot winds and sent the fleet westward to the Baie de Cavalaire before turning back to finish in the iconic Golfe de Saint-Tropez. Transitions around headlands compressed the fleet, giving tactical opportunities to those chasing from behind.
Capricorno Secures Maxi 100 Overall Victory
For a second consecutive day, Alessandro Del Bono’s Capricorno delivered a masterful performance, exploiting light wind conditions to overtake larger competitors. The nimble JV80 once again outmaneuvered Karel Komárek’s 100-foot V, ultimately securing a win on corrected IRC time. With two bullets and consistent finishes throughout the week, Capricorno claimed the overall victory in the Maxi 100 class on countback, narrowly edging out Galateia.
“This was the best week so far with this boat,” said Capricorno tactician and Olympic legend Torben Grael. “More windward-leewards and light air races suited us. There’s still a lot to learn, but this was a great step forward.”
My Song Finishes Strong for Event Host Loro Piana
Event sponsor Pier Luigi Loro Piana ended the week on a high note, with his 80-foot My Song finishing second in the final race. “We had a great upwind leg and gained ground downwind,” said Loro Piana. “It’s been an honour to host this event again. Saint-Tropez is perfect for racing like this.”
Jethou and Proteus Duel in Maxi Grand Prix
The Maxi Grand Prix class delivered intense competition, with Sir Peter Ogden’s Jethou winning the combined Maxi 100/Grand Prix classification. However, George Sakellaris’ Proteus claimed victory in the Grand Prix category outright after finishing second in the final race. Strategist Chris Nicholson credited their success to a well-executed upwind leg and precise tactical calls. “In light conditions, Proteus shines,” added Sakellaris.
Django 7X Impresses in Debut Performance
Giovanni Lombardi Stronati’s brand-new Django 7X, a Wallyrocket 71, stunned the fleet by winning the final race in the Maxi Grand Prix class. Tactician Vasco Vascotto praised her performance: “She showed real promise downwind today. Light, fast, and efficient – and we’re just getting started.”
Cippa Lippa X Triumphs in Maxi Alpha
In the fiercely contested Maxi Alpha class, Guido Paolo Gamucci’s Cippa Lippa X bested Spirit of Lorina after a race-long duel. “It was a match race from start to finish,” said Gamucci. “The transitions were tough, but we benefited from deeper downwind angles.”
Blue Vision Overtakes in Maxi Beta
The final day saw a dramatic shift in the Maxi Beta class. Enis Ersü’s Blue Vision won the last race, leapfrogging Cloudy7 to take the overall lead. R6 completed the podium with consistent performances throughout the week.
Looking Ahead: Offshore Challenge to Genoa
The regatta now transitions to its offshore leg, starting from Saint-Tropez and concluding in Genoa, home of the Yacht Club Italiano. Due to a light wind forecast, the course has been shortened to 210 nautical miles via the Giraglia Rock. Despite the reduction, conditions suggest it could take the leading maxis up to 50 hours – a stark contrast to the record time of just under 15 hours.
President Carlo Cameli of the Yacht Club Italiano reflected on the week:
“I’m proud of the work our team has done and thrilled to see so many young faces involved. Genoa awaits the fleet with open arms.”
Overall Results:
| Pos | Boat | Owner | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | Tot |
| Maxi 100 | ||||||||||
| 1 | CAPRICORNO | DEL BONO ALESSANDRO | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 14 |
| 2 | GALATEIA | FLOWERS CHRIS | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 14 |
| 3 | V | KOMAREK KAREL | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 17 |
| 4 | SCALLYWAG 100 | LEE SENG HUANG | 5 | 4 | 8 DNF | 8 DNC | 5 | 3 | 5 | 33 |
| 5 | MY SONG | LORO PIANA PIER LUIGI | 4 | 8 DNC | 4 | 8 DNF | 4 | 5 | 2 | 33 |
| 6 | FLYINGNIKKA | LACORTE ROBERTO | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 8DNF | 6 | 34 |
| 7 | MAGIC CARPET E | OWEN-JONES SIR LINDSAY | 8 DNC | 8 DNC | 8 DNC | 8 DNC | 8DNC | 8DNC | 8 DNC | 40 |
| Maxi Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| 1 | PROTEUS | SAKELLARIS GEORGE | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 15 |
| 2 | JETHOU | OGDEN SIR PETER | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 16 |
| 3 | NORTHSTAR OF LONDON | DUBENS PETER | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 22 |
| 4 | BALTHASAR | BALCAEN FILIP | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 DNF | 22 |
| 5 | DJANGO 7X | LOMBARDI STRONATI GIOVANNI | 6 DNC | 6 DNC | 6 DNC | 6 DNC | 5 | 3 | 1 | 33 |
| Maxi Alpha | ||||||||||
| 1 | CIPPA LIPPA X | GAMUCCI GUIDO PAOLO | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| 2 | SPIRIT OF LORINA | BARJON JEAN-PIERRE | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 13 |
| 3 | SUD | MURATORE LORENZO | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 19 |
| 4 | REMAX ONE 2 | CASTIGLIA DARIO | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 DNF | 8 DNF | 3 | 8 DNF | 39 |
| 5 | SAPMA | PIETRO PAOLO | 5 | 5 | 8 DNC | 8 DNC | 4 | 8 DNF | 4 | 42 |
| 6 | LUCE GUIDA | CAYE JEAN-MICHEL | 8 DNF | 6 | 8 DNF | 4 | 8 DNF | 8 DNF | 5 | 47 |
| 7 | ALMAGORES II | BORROMEO FEDERICO | 8 DNC | 8 DNC | 8 DNC | 8 DNC | 8 DNC | 8 DNC | 8 DNC | 56 |
| Maxi Beta | ||||||||||
| 1 | BLUE VISION | ERSU ENIS | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 DNF | 1 | 18 |
| 2 | CLOUDY 7 | BIRKNER GUNTER | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 DNF | 4 | 20 |
| 3 | R6 | SZUSTKOWSKI ROBERT | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 7 DNF | 2 | 26 |
| 4 | SAO BERNARDO | BATAILLARD PIERRE-JEROMME | 3 | 1 | 4 | 7 DNF | 4 | 7 DNF | 3 | 29 |
| 5 | MARLIN II | AURELI ENRICO | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 7 DNF | 5 | 34 |
| 6 | LA VIDELLE | PESCETTO SEAN | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 DNC | 6 | 7 DNF | 7 DNC | 46 |
