Porto Cervo – After a summer dominated by major international events, the J/70 Cup 2026 returns to centre stage with the highlight of the season. From Friday to Sunday, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda will host the final stage of the J/70 Cup 2026 and, at the same time, the J/70 Italian Championship, organised by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in cooperation with the J/70 Italian Class.

The event marks the return of the J/70 one-design fleet to Porto Cervo almost ten years after the celebrated 2017 World Championship, which made history with more than 160 teams entered. The same racecourse will host the highly anticipated 2028 World Championship, for which a maximum fleet of 198 boats has been set — a target that would rewrite the participation record for the class and for one-design sailing as a whole.

Seventeen teams from seven nations are expected in Gallura. Among the leading contenders are overall standings leader J-Curve, helmed by Mauro Roversi, and Tenzor Team, led by Andrey Pushkin, dominant winner of the Lerici round. Also worth watching are reigning champion Cyclone, skippered by Yann Ingliesi, last year’s winner in Imperia; T-Onewith Manfredo Toninelli; Australia’s Swish, led by Steven Proud; and Jeniale CAIM with Massimo Rama, currently second in the Corinthian standings.

“Having around twenty boats on the starting line for this J/70 Italian Championship is a number that exceeds our expectations at the beginning of the season. The standings are open to every possible outcome, and it is precisely this uncertainty that makes every single entry unique and decisive. The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda will add to the event with its proven and efficient organisational machine,” commented Federico Siragna, President of the J/70 Italian Class.

The J/70 Italian Class, which uses the Vakaros RaceSense system for starting-line management, is supported by Lincoln International, Garmin, VelaMania, North Sails Collection, UtilGraph, Gottifredi Maffioli and Gin Vento.