Ernesto Bertarelli lands in Pisa as the Loro Piana Giraglia offshore race begins

Ernesto Bertarelli flew from Geneva to Pisa on June 18, a 33-minute hop aboard his Bombardier Global 7500 (HB-JIT). The short flight placed him in Tuscany the same week the Loro Piana Giraglia offshore race got underway, per a report from Giornale della Vela. The 241-mile classic from Saint-Tropez to Genoa started June 17, with light winds forecast — a challenging condition familiar to any competitive sailor.

Bertarelli is no casual spectator. He founded Team Alinghi, which won the America’s Cup in 2003 and 2007, making Switzerland the first European nation to claim sailing’s top prize. The Giraglia is a fixture on the Mediterranean maxi-yacht circuit, and Bertarelli’s presence suggests either a guest role or a strategic look at the fleet. His foundation also funds marine conservation, tying his sporting passion to a broader ocean focus.

The flight fits a pattern: Bertarelli frequently shuttles between Geneva, the French Riviera, and Italian ports during the summer regatta season. Earlier this month, he flew from Sardinia to Geneva on June 5, then back to Sardinia the same day — likely for the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup preparations. Pisa offers convenient access to the Ligurian Sea and the Giraglia’s finish line in Genoa.