The Marina Yachting Sardinia Cup is a special Challenge Trophy designed for national teams. It was introduced by His Highness Prince Aga Khan in 1978. The event is organized by the Costa Smeralda Yacht Club with the help of Plus Factor (Marketing and Communications), under the auspices of the Italian Sailing Federation.

MARINA YACHTING SARDINIA CUP

Sailing will be back in Italy from 13th to 20th September with the Marina Yachting Sardinia Cup, one of the world's premier events in the international high seas arena.

This year the Trophy is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Established in 1978 as a Mediterranean version of the Admiral's Cup and organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, the regatta is held every two years in the waters off the shores of Porto Cervo.

In the debut year of the regatta in 1978, a total of 12 teams participated; this first edition witnessed the spectacular success of the Italian team, composed of Vanni Mandelli's Vanina Sergio Doni's Yena and Bruno Calandriello's Dida V. In 1980, the turnout increased to 15 national teams vying for the prestigious cup. The American teams Acadia, Merry Thought and Tatoosh won the Cup, with the Italians taking second place over the other world-class teams running in the competition.

Only two years later, the Sardinia Cup boasted levels of participation not easily rivalled by other team sailing events. This third edition of the regatta was immediately christened a classic, with 19 teams competing. Once again the Italian team, made up of Gilberto Borromeo's Almagores, Giorgio Carriero's Mandrake and Pasquale Landolfi's Brava, repeated its triumph of 1978.

In 1984, with 16 nations in the running, the Germans got the best of the Italians, French and Americans with Pinta, Rubin and Container. Two years later, fortune smiled upon the English, who, with Full Pelt, Pocket Battleship, and Marionette IX, bested the other 11 competing teams.

In 1990, the Sardinia Cup's standard formula was altered substantially: new criteria were established regarding team composition, now made up of a boat with an IOR 30.55 rating, one with a 36.05 rating and one with a 40.50 rating. Italy, with its irrepressible team formed by Pasquale Landolfi's Brava Q8, Giorgio Carriero's Mandrake and Giuseppe Degennaro's Larouge, triumphed for the third time in Sardinia. It accomplished the same feat two years later, although in this edition the races were run in real time and Marina Carpaneda's Smeralda 888 Botta Dritta VI took the place of Larouge in the Italian team.

The race's formula was once again changed in 1994, in line with IMS regulations. In this edition, the Germans prevailed for the third time in Porto Cervo: with Omen, Aerosail Astro and Aerosail 3, they barely managed to edge out the Italians, who came in second.

Two years later, the Italians made their comeback in the Porto Cervo classic, celebrating their fifth victory. The trophy was brought home by Capricorno, Brava Q8 and Byblos, the same line-up which won the Admiral's Cup in 1995. The Osama Sailing Team, sailing with the colours of the Merit Cup, came in second in this edition.

YACHT CLUB COSTA SMERALDA

The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda Yacht Club was established on 15th May 1967, in Porto Cervo. It was founded by a group of avid sailing enthusiasts who were quick to appreciate the natural beauty of Sardinia's north-eastern coast and recognise its potential in nautical sports. It soon became one of the world's most prestigious and distinguished sport associations.

Today the club counts approximately 300 members, people from all over the world, distinguished figures in the worlds of industry, finance, culture and sport. In over 30 years of activity, the Costa Smeralda Yacht Club has succeeded at the highest levels worldwide, winning the most prized trophies and sought-after awards. It was the first Italian yacht club to contend for the America's Cup, with Azzurra; it furthermore won the Blue Ribbon for the Atlantic crossing, with Destriero.

The Costa Smeralda Yacht Club has always excelled in its organisational strength; it was honoured to receive the Challenge of Record for the America's Cup in 1987. Its professionalism and distinction in organising world-class events are undisputed.

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