The Cyclades Cup 2026: Racing, Tradition and an Evening Beneath the Olive Trees
The Cyclades Cup returned in 2026 to the waters surrounding Antiparos and Paros, bringing together a fleet of superyachts for several days of racing shaped as much by the Meltemi winds as by the camaraderie ashore.
Established in 2024, the event has quickly become Greece’s first superyacht regatta and a distinctive fixture on the international sailing calendar. Organized in conjunction with the Yacht Club of Greece, sanctioned by SYRA, and run under ORC rules, the Cyclades Cup brings together owners and crews in a format that balances serious competition with a strong social dimension.
This year’s edition opened on June 11, designated as IYC Race Day, setting the tone for the series that followed. Across the opening races and subsequent days, conditions in the Aegean provided a consistent test for the fleet, with steady Meltemi winds shaping tactical decisions across all classes.
In the Apollo class, PERSEUS secured overall victory ahead of ALMYRA II and FIVEA, with Michel Chryssicopoulos, Managing Partner of IYC, presenting the class prize. The Cyclades class saw NOMMO take first place, followed by NOSTROMO and TAWERA, with AIZU completing the top four. In the Meltemi class, BARONG D finished ahead of MARI-CHA III and GALMA, with WALLY B and INOUI rounding out the fleet. WINDROSE OF AMSTERDAM claimed top honours in the Nireas class, ahead of LA BELLE and OCEAN PURE 2, while AIOLOS led the Skyphian class, followed by SENTINEL, COOL TURABI and VANTANERA.
Across the fleet, the racing reflected the defining characteristics of the Cyclades Cup: closely matched competition, shifting conditions, and a racecourse framed by the stark beauty of the Cycladic coastline.
As a Gold Sponsor of the event, IYC supported a programme that extended beyond the water and into the social fabric of the regatta. The most notable of these gatherings was the Owners’ Dinner, co-hosted with Jetcraft and supported by The Macallan, with wine pairing provided by Global Wine Solutions, showcasing a selection of stunning local Greek wines.
Hosted on Friday, June 12, in Agrilia—the renowned olive grove nestled atop a hill in Antiparos with unrivalled views—the dinner welcomed more than 150 guests in a setting that reflected the relaxed sophistication for which the Cyclades Cup has become known. Co-hosted with Jetcraft and supported by The Macallan and Global Wine Solutions, the evening featured a refined wines and spirits experience. Long tables were arranged beneath centuries-old trees, creating an atmosphere that was both intimate and convivial. Live entertainment throughout the evening added to the sense of occasion, while preserving the refined character of the gathering.
If the racing defines the competitive identity of the Cyclades Cup, evenings such as this define its social one. The atmosphere was neither staged nor hurried. Instead, it reflected the ease of a community already bound by shared experience on the water. Conversations stretched long into the evening, experiences from the day's racing were exchanged, and new connections were formed among guests united by a shared appreciation for the sea.
As another edition of the Cyclades Cup came to a close, it reaffirmed the qualities that continue to distinguish it within the international regatta circuit: exceptional sailing, thoughtful hospitality, and a setting that remains unmatched. Marking the third consecutive year of sponsorship, IYC elevated its involvement this year to Gold Sponsor status in recognition of its continued commitment to the regatta.