The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda has announced two major back-to-back regattas for September 2026, with the 36th Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup running 6–12 September and the 23rd Rolex Swan Cup following immediately after from 13–19 September.
The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup will again award two world championship titles: the Rolex IMA Maxi 1 World Championship and the Rolex IMA Maxi Grand Prix World Championship. Defending champions Galateia (WallyCento) and Django 7X (wallyrocket71) will return to protect their 2025 titles against strong competition including Leopard 3, Magic Carpet E, My Song, Jolt, Bella Mente and Proteus.
The entry list already approaches 40 yachts over 60 feet, with multihull representation notably including Sophia, the first trimaran to compete in the event's history. The new JV76 Northstar III, owned by YCCS member Peter Dubens, will make its debut in the Maxi Grand Prix division.
The Rolex Swan Cup marks the Finnish builder's 60th anniversary and has drawn a record 167 entries against a 170-boat limit. The fleet spans Nautor Swan's entire history, from the restored Tarantella (Swan 36-001, hull number one from 1966) to the new Swan 80 Elvi and the Swan 128s Be Cool and Raijin.
Racing will be split across three divisions: ClubSwan Racing (One Design classes), ClubSwan Legacy (vintage Sparkman & Stephens, Ron Holland and German Frers designs), and ClubSwan Spirit (modern cruisers-racers). The Swan 65 Shirlaf, launched in 1976, will compete in both regattas to mark her 50th anniversary.
The YCCS season continues into October with the J/70 Cup and Italian Championship on 2–4 October.
