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Porto Cervo, 6 July 2025. The 21st edition of the Coppa Europa Smeralda 888, a traditional event organised by the YCCS since 2001 and part of the 888 Class circuit, came to an end today. Luigi Guarnaccia’s Capocaccia finished on the top step of the podium, followed by Vamos Mi Amor owned by Carlo di Borbone in second place and Stay Rude owned by Guglielmo Lombardi Stronati in third.  

The Smeralda 888 Class spent two consecutive weeks in Costa Smeralda this year: following the Invitational Smeralda 888 held last weekend, the teams met up again in Porto Cervo for the Coppa Europa Smeralda 888. Marco Favale's Millenium Falcon tried to repeat last weekend’s victorious performance, facing off eight other teams, three of which represented the YCCS. These were Giada, owned by Germano Scarpa, Stay Rude owned by Guglielmo Lombardi Stronati and Bloody Mathilde owned by Nicolò Saidelli. The other teams present were Giovanni Lombardi Stronati’s Django, Luigi Guarnaccia’s Capocaccia, Martin Nweeia’s Paka A, Carlo di Borbone’s Vamos Mi Amor and Silvia De Longhi’s Ziva. 

The Coppa Europa Smeralda 888 got underway on Friday July 4th. After the official briefing on the YCCS’s panoramic terrace, the teams met on the waters off Porto Cervo at 2:30 pm. Day 1’s weather conditions allowed just one race to be held, as winds gradually dropped from an initial 7 knots and forced the Race Committee to call off the day’s scheduled races after about an hour of waiting on the water. The calm continued the following day. Seeing that the forecast on the final day of the event called for increasingly strong Mistral winds, the start was brought forward by an hour to get as many races in as possible before the winds exceeded the limit set by the Class for racing. Today the 888 fleet managed to complete three races in a Mistral that gradually built from an initial 8 knots to over 20.

Capocaccia, fresh off last weekend’s podium, started the first day right managing to sail well in extreme calm and finishing Day 1 in first place. This performance stayed constant today even in very different weather and sea conditions. Owner Luigi Guarnaccia's crew included Duccio Colombi, Giorgio Poggi, Rosario Vannucchi and Pierluigi Fornelli, and always stayed towards the head of the fleet, even though in the first race today they were edged out by Ziva who had their best performance of the series and finished first by a comfortable margin. In the second race it was Millenium Falcon, winner of last weekend’s event, that prevailed with Capocaccia and Bloody Mathilde following. 

Today’s last race was the final one of the event and teams were put to the test by a Mistral at 20 knots. Downwind boat management made all the difference and Vamos Mi Amor stood out from the rest of the fleet, crossing the finish line confidently in first place. Behind them, Stay Rude and Giada.

Despite finishing eighth in the event’s final race Capocaccia won the event overall thanks to their good performance in the event’s previous races. The first place finish in the final race got Vamos Mi Amor onto the second step of the podium ahead of, but tied for points with, Stay Rude who came in second in the last race.

The event concluded with the final awards ceremony at the YCCS where the winning team was presented with a inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator by Garmin Marine, Technical Partner of the event.  

Sporting events for the YCCS resume in September with the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup to the held from September 7 to 13 and the 52 Super Series Porto Cervo Sailing Week which will be held from the 21 to the 27th. These events will close the YCCS regatta season but in August, as per tradition, the YCCS Social Championship, reserved for Club members, will be held.

For further information, results, entry list, official documents, and photos please visit the YCCS website.