HISTORY La Giraglia was created in a Parisian café in 1952 by three men, René Levainville, Franco Gavagnin and Beppe Croce.

The intention was to create a prestigious Italian-French challenge that would conquer the world of ocean sailing. On July 11, 1953, under a strong Mistral wind, 22 boats took the start of the first race.

In 1974, the first participation record was set with 132 boats.

In 1997, with the arrival of a new partner, the name was changed to the “Giraglia Rolex Cup”.

In 1998, the Yacht Club de Saint-Tropez joined the event to inaugurate a new formula by organizing 3 coastal regattas in Saint-Tropez.

In 2002, the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez took over the organization of the event in Saint-Tropez. It was a landmark year, with 162 boats taking part in the event, which was now open to the 50 and 60-foot IMOCA monohull classes. A real challenge between the prestigious yachts that have built its reputation and the 30-meter Maxis. Organized by the Yacht Club Italiano, the Yacht Club de France and the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, the Giraglia has become one of the biggest offshore cruising races in the Mediterranean, bringing together over 200 boats of 10 different nationalities.

In 2018, the name of the event was changed with a title partner: “LA ROLEX GIRAGLIA” until 2023, the date of the race’s 70th anniversary.

In 2024, Rolex withdrew and a new partner entered this historic race. This became the “LORO PIANA GIRAGLIA”, a prestigious sailing event with an increasingly international fleet and ultra-competitive boats. Due to health restrictions caused by the COVID 19 epidemic, the 2020 edition has been cancelled.

In 2021, again due to restrictions, the coastal races will not be held in Saint-Tropez, with only a liaison regatta between Saint-Tropez and San Rémo involving around thirty yachts. The 240-mile Offshore Race departs from San Rémo.
THE PRINCIPLE
4 days of racing on coastal courses of 35 miles maximum in the Bay of Saint-Tropez
1 offshore race of 243 miles starting from Saint-Tropez, rounding the islet of Giraglia to the north of Corsica and finishing in Genoa.