Eberths.com is thrilled to announce the Loro Piana Giraglia 2026, which will take place from June 12 to June 20, 2026, in France and Italy.
The Loro Piana Giraglia is organized by Yacht Club Italiano in collaboration with Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, under the guidance of the Federazione Italiana Vela and the Fédération Française de Voile. First held in 1953, the 73rd edition will feature over a 130 yachts from around the world for four days of inshore racing in Saint-Tropez (12-16 June) followed by the 241nm offshore race starting on 17 June. The offshore course starts from Saint-Tropez, rounds the Giraglia Rock off Corsica, and finishing in Genoa.
The Loro Piana Giraglia 2026 brings together many of the qualities that have long made the race compelling for over 70 years. Framed by the glamour of Saint Tropez and the proud maritime heritage of Genoa, two host destinations that give the event so much of its character: fierce rivalry, timeless elegance and deep family tradition. From a maxi battle at the front of the fleet to a classic yacht of rare distinction and a modern contender shaped by Italian sailing heritage, this year’s entry list offers stories that reach well beyond the results sheet.
History
On July 11, 1953, 22 boats set off on the first-ever Giraglia, covering a 196-mile course from Cannes – La Giraglia – Sanremo, with 17 yachts reaching the finish line. The first edition was won by a French yacht in 31 hours. The following year, the start and finish ports were swapped, the number of participants increased to 31, and the Giraglia Rock remained the iconic mark of the Course, securing its place as one of the world’s premier yachting events.
Over the years, this offshore race has become legendary. It blends sailing technique with poetry, becoming a rite of passage for many young sailors. Saying "I’ve done it too" is a prestigious badge of honour for any sailor.
Participation numbers have steadily grown while race times have drastically decreased. The record for the most boats on the start line was set in 2016, with 302 entries, while the fastest time belongs to Igor Simcic’s Esimit Europa 2, which shattered the previous record in 2012 with an astonishing time of 14 hours, 56 minutes, and 16 seconds.
The format has remained essentially unchanged. In the 1970s, over 100 boats consistently participated, sometimes exceeding 150, remarkable figures for the niche yachting world. Until the 1990s, starting and finishing locations alternated between Italy and France. Back then, participating in the race was an adventure, with all crew members sleeping on board and assisting with yacht transfers.
The Giraglia has witnessed the transition from wooden boats to fibreglass, from heavier designs to lighter, more sophisticated yachts and increasingly faster passages. Since 1998, the format has remained stable: gathering in Saint-Tropez in mid-June, coastal races in the breathtaking gulf, a grand party before the offshore start, and then the 241-nautical-mile challenge, which, just as in 1952, still finishes in Genoa after rounding the Giraglia Rock.
Loro Piana has been the title partner of the Loro Piana Giraglia since 2024.