Grand Soleil Cup 2023: the most exciting edition ever

An important milestone. This was the Grand Soleil Cup 2023, staged on the last weekend of June in Portopiccolo as an integral part of the celebrations for Cantiere del Pardo’s 50 years of activity.

Compared with its previous editions, the 2023 regatta was even richer and more special, with 57 owners sailing in the waters of the Upper Adriatic Sea, competing in what is the most awaited sailing event for Grand Soleil owners.

The two days of sports and celebrations also included the Vintage Cup, the first sailing event dedicated to Grand Soleil yachts with construction design prior to the year 2000. A great opportunity for spectators to take a real dive into a 50-year-long past made of great successes and passion for the sea, which has never ceased to characterise the boats of the Cantiere del Pardo group.

With the sole exception of two crews from Poland, all of the Grand Soleil Cup participants were Italian and took part in the competition divided into two categories: “All Sails” and “White Sails” with models spanning all 50 years of the shipyard’s history. From the Grand Soleil 34, the first model signed by Finot, to the Grand Soleil 39 and GS 46 by Alain Jezequel, and then the Grand Soleil 50 by Peterson to the cult models designed by German Frers: the Grand Soleil 42, GS 45 and GS 52. Last but not least, the new Grand Soleil 40 and Grand Soleil 44 by Matteo Poli and Nauta Design.

The two categories differed according to the sails used during the race: the “White Sails” category allowed the use of white sails only, while “All Sails” also involved headsails such as gennaker, Code 0 and spinnaker. In addition to the classic first places in each category, first place was also awarded for the Vintage section, intended for boats from before 2000 that crossed the finish line first.

The overall victory in the All Sails category was achieved by the GS 48 RACE – a project by Marco Lostuzzi – owned by Sergio Taccheo, while the top spot in the White Sails category was taken by the Grand Soleil 52 Long Cruise, also designed by Marco Lostuzzi, owned by Fabio Montanari. In the Vintage section, for the ‘All Sails’ category, Federico Tognetti took the podium with his Grand Soleil 52 MAYA (designed by German Frers), while for the ‘White Sails’ category, first place was taken by a Grand Soleil 46.3 LADY LINER, designed by K&J of the Mirnik Yacht Club.

The crews and enthusiasts who followed the regatta experienced two intense days. A sporting and celebratory spirit characterized this sailing event, which was not only an event of skill but also, and above all, an occasion of important sharing for the entire Grand Soleil community.