Maxi yachts have flocked to Porto Cervo each September since 1980 when the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda established the first championship for the largest sailing vessels in existence. Since then yacht racing, maxi craft and the technology used to harness the power of the wind has continued to expand and develop on all fronts and today’s international fleet of maxis is nothing short of breathtaking. The event regularly attracts upwards of 45 yachts and represents a who’s-who of international yachting. Competing divisions range from the 18 to 24-metre Mini Maxi class, which competes for its World Championship during the event, to the Supermaxi division which hosts yachts of 30.5 metres and above.