YCM members stood out at the Range Rover Sardinia Cup. For its grand return to the international calendar after a 14-year absence, this prestigious competition delivered a particularly demanding week of racing on the waters off Porto Cervo.
Giovanni Lombardi Stronati secured two 2nd places with Django WR and Django JP, while Peter Harrison completed the team class podium and left his mark aboard Jolt 3.
Launched in 1978 by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, the Sardinia Cup is unique in that it rewards teams that perform well in all race formats. The 2026 edition combined coastal races, windward-leeward races and a 130-nautical mile offshore race.
Contestants had to adapt to a wide range of conditions throughout the week. A Mistral gusting up to 40 knots forced organisers to delay the start of the offshore race. The following days alternated between strong winds, long surfs under spinnaker, and more tactically complex races in the Costa Smeralda waters.
In the Sardinia Cup 1 category, Giovanni Lombardi Stronati clinched 2nd place with Django WR against ten contestants. The boat and crew proved remarkably consistent throughout the week, both in the offshore race and in the races held off Porto Cervo.
The same scenario played out in the Sardinia Cup 2 category where Django JP also finished in 2nd place, with the crew ending on a high by winning the final coastal race between the islands of this Sardinian archipelago.
This two-two meant Giovanni Lombardi Stronati secured 2nd place in the team rankings which combines the results obtained by Django WR and Django JP throughout the competition.
Peter Harrison and his crew finished 4th in the Sardinia Cup 1. Despite having to retire from the long offshore race due to a breakage, Jolt 3 was back in contention during the following races.
The two windward-leeward races in an 18-24 knot Mistral was a good opportunity for the crew to demonstrate their potential, with two consecutive victories. The final day also smiled on Jolt 3 who won the final coastal race in lighter wind.
This 2026 edition confirmed how many were keen to see the return of the Range Rover Sardinia Cup. Between coastal races in the heart of the La Maddalena archipelago, an offshore overnight race and technically challenging races off Porto Cervo, the crews were put through their paces in all race formats.
YCM members stood out at the Range Rover Sardinia Cup securing three podium finishes across the different categories. Just a few months after their clashes in the Admiral’s Cup 2025 won by the Yacht Club de Monaco, Peter Harrison and Giovanni Lombardi Stronati were again to be found in the vanguard at a major international event. An overall result that confirms the strength of the Monegasque Club’s members against very high level competition.
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