The 12th Grand Prix of the City of Venice – Venice Hospitality Challenge is coming
by Venice Hospitality Challenge 8 Oct 03:20 AEDT
18 October 2025
Venice Hospitality Challenge © Carlo Borlenghi
Venice is preparing for the return of its Grand Prix of Sailing: the 2025 edition of the renowned regatta was presented today at a press conference in the Sala Giunta Grande of Ca' Farsetti, the seat of the City of Venice. Born from the desire of Mirko Sguario, president of the Yacht Club Venezia, this is the only regatta whose course winds entirely through the inland waters of the Serenissima, allowing spectators to witness the entire event up close, from the Rive di San Marco to the Giudecca Canal.
The 12th Grand Prix of the City of Venice - Venice Hospitality Challenge will kick off on Saturday, October 18th at approximately 1:30 PM with the powerful jets of the tugboats in front of Punta della Dogana. Starting Thursday, October 16th, visitors and enthusiasts will be able to admire the participating boats moored at a floating dock located in the Giudecca Canal thanks to the collaboration of the Fondazione Scuola Piccola Zattere, the Port Authority, and the Harbour Master's Office. The dock, over 75 meters long and built by Boscolo Bielo, will also be the event's headquarters. Recent wave regulations introduced by the City and Maritime Authorities will make docking easier and safer.
The awards ceremony will take place at the VYP dock at the Zattere, where the Barcolana Venice Hospitality Trophy will also be awarded. This Challenge trophy is awarded to the highest-ranked boat, based on the best results in the Barcolana Maxi Trofeo Portopiccolo and Venice Hospitality Challenge. As per tradition, the trophy the skippers will compete for is the famous Cappello del Doge, a symbol of the power of the Serenissima. Each year, it is crafted from Murano glass and interpreted by master glassmakers in terms of colors and decorations. This year, it was masterfully crafted by the historic Simone Cenedese glassworks.
This edition of the Gran Premio Città di Venezia - Venice Hospitality Challenge features four boat categories, one of which is dedicated to Venice's luxury hotels: the prestigious Danieli, Ca' Sagredo, and Palazzina G hotels will compete alongside the Adriatic Europa, Shining, and Pegaso. A fleet of 18 maxi yachts ranging from 52 to 100 feet (16 to 30 meters in length) will line up on the starting line, including the unforgettable Moro di Venezia, which will compete for the Boat Show.
Social commitment and sustainability have been a key focus of the Yacht Club Venezia for years, and it will once again support the Italian League for the Fight Against Cancer: the Vaporetto Rosa, a low-impact vessel, will accompany the regatta to raise awareness of the importance of breast cancer prevention. The Yacht Club Venezia, with the support of Energia Pura and Mure a Dritta, confirms its commitment to the environment by providing crews and staff with recycled and recyclable jerseys: a simple yet concrete gesture that reinforces the message of sustainability.
"The Venice Hospitality Challenge was born from a dream: to offer Venice a unique event, combining sailing—a sport naturally linked to our city—with hospitality, which has always been its soul." Said Mirko Sguario, President of the Yacht Club Venezia. "It hasn't been an easy journey, but over time it has allowed us to grow and engage with the international yachting world, welcoming prominent figures. This year, together with the Port System Authority, we are continuing the Port Educational project, which involves primary school students in workshops at the Scuola Piccola Zattere dedicated to sailing, the environment, and sustainability, with the participation of great champions like Mauro Pelaschier. The Venice Hospitality Challenge is more than just a regatta: it is a meeting point between sport, culture, hospitality, and respect for the environment. An event that belongs to Venice and which, I am confident, will once again provide us with unforgettable experiences."
Sponsored by the City of Venice, the Veneto Region, and the Northern Adriatic Port Authority, the Venice Hospitality Challenge is supported by partners Vela Spa, the Venice Boat Show, the Italian Navy, Venezia Le Città in Festa, the Port Authority, the Coast Guard, the Military Corps of the Order of Malta, and the Italian Sailing Federation. Main sponsors: Generali Italia, Ca' Sagredo, Hotel Danieli, Palazzina G, Boscolo Bielo, Prosecco DOC, and ABC Zattere. Technical sponsors: Alilaguna, Assonautica, Bellini Canella, MureaDritta, Panfido, Select, and VYP.