ORC mourns the passing of HH Aga Khan

February 13, 2025 - The officers and staff of the Offshore Racing Congress mourn the recent passing of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. His visionary influence and investment over the past 6 decades has left an enduring legacy on the sport of sailing.

At an early age, Karim's father Prince Aly Khan was very fond of horse racing, but was also a keen sailor, racing on his Fife-designed 8 Meter Carron 2 at the time Karim was born. His passion was fast boats, which were all named after his horses: first came Shabaz, then Kalamoun, and later Shergar, of increasing sizes.

In 1967, the forward-looking vision of His Highness led to the founding of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. Since then, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV served as the Club’s President, guiding it to achievements that have shaped the history of Italian sailing and established the YCCS as an international benchmark in the yachting world.

The idea of founding the YCCS came from His Highness the Aga Khan and a group of friends - Andrè Ardoin, Giuseppe Kerry Mentasti and Luigi Vietti - with the aim of creating a non-profit sporting association to bring together lovers of the sea and nautical sports to celebrate beauty and excellence. Since its inception, the YCCS has combined sailing tradition with an innovative spirit, organizing world-class regattas and competitions that continue to attract leading names in global sailing.

The new marina and the YCCS headquarters were opened in 1978, with the first Sardinia Cup and the installation of Gianfranco Alberini as Commodore. Important events however were also held before then, such as the One Ton Cup in 1973, won by Straulino on Hydra defeating Ganbare, and many editions of the "Settimana delle Bocche" and other offshore races, the first ones in the late 1960s.

The exceptional location, the facilities created, and the unique natural landscape have made the YCCS sporting calendar a point of reference for professional sailors and enthusiasts alike. This success is a testament to the visionary leadership of His Highness, who saw the potential of a wonderful area of Sardinia and contributed to the creation of what is now a centre of excellence. 

His Highness the Aga Khan's deep passion for the sea and sailing drove him to support historic endeavours in the yachting world, starting with the first Italian challenge for the America's Cup launched in 1981 for the Newport ‘83 edition. Azzurra became a symbol of determination and passion, an icon of Italian sailing that inspired generations of sailors. The team’s participation marked a fundamental turning point, elevating the Italian sailing scene on the international stage.

In 1987, Kalamoun sailed all the way to Fremantle to serve as RC boat at the Louis Vuitton series of the America's Cup, where YCCS was the Challenger of Record. Kalamoun was the perfect vessel to withstand the strong Fremantle Doctor, giving good shelter to the Jury, RC members and distinguished guests.

Another milestone was achieved in 1992 with Destriero, a water-jet powered vessel that set an unbeaten transatlantic record, covering the distance between New York and England in a record time of 58 hours, 34 minutes and 40 seconds—a feat that remains unmatched to this day.

In 1998, the YCCS proposed to ORC to hold an IMS World Championship in corrected time, and the first edition took place in Porto Cervo in 1999, sponsored by Rolex.

In addition to his sporting achievements, His Highness the Aga Khan has always demonstrated a strong sense of respect for the environment and the sea. Driven by this ethos, in the year it celebrated the 50th anniversary of its foundation, the Club, with the support of the Aga Khan family, launched the One Ocean sustainability initiative, which saw the first forum held in Italy dedicated to the preservation of the marine environment.

Through the YCCS and from its very foundation, His Highness promoted values of excellence, innovation, passion for the sea, respect for the environment, and support for the next generation. With this in mind, the Young Azzurra project was created in 2020, a program designed to support talented young sailors in their professional development.

ORC salutes the commitment YCCS is making to honor His Highness’s vision by continuing its mission, combining a passion for the sea with a profound love for Sardinia.