Barcolana57 presented by Generali - Day 10
by Barcolana 11 Oct 05:26 AEDT
1-12 October 2025
Barcolana Women in Sailing by Generali © CDV / Studio Borlenghi
More than 1,800 entries have been registered for Barcolana57 presented by Generali, a figure that confirms the strength and appeal of the event, once again the world's most participated regatta. A large and diverse fleet, comprising professional, amateur and family crews from various European countries, is preparing to take to the water on Sunday at 10.30am in the Gulf of Trieste.
The on-water programme has already begun in earnest with significant appointments: Barcolana Maxi - Trofeo Portopiccolo, Solaris Adriatic Cup, Este 24 European Championship, Barcolana Women in Sailing by Generali and Go To Barcolana da Ravenna - Trofeo Gruppo Hera have characterised the build-up days to the Coppa d'Autunno.
Also highlighted today was an announcement of national significance: within the spaces of the Vespucci World Tour in Piazza Unità d'Italia, the collaboration between Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour and Barcolana was presented. In 2026, the "Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Il Veloce" - the Mediterranean's longest regatta - will start from Genoa and conclude in Trieste during the 58th edition of Barcolana.
The third edition of the Barcolana Sea Summit has also concluded, featuring two panels dedicated to underwater innovation and sustainable development of the maritime economy.
"An extraordinary day," declared Mitja Gialuz, SVBG President, "we always witness a crescendo of emotions and today, despite it being Friday, the atmosphere is already that of the weekend. There's contagious energy and widespread joy everywhere. The legality regatta has marked a historic milestone for the post-Covid era: it's been several years since we last reached the 1,800 participant mark. The United World College choir performance completely filled Piazza Cavana, whilst the boats literally covered the waters of the Trieste Gulf in white this Friday - an unprecedented spectacle. It's difficult to recall an equally memorable Friday. Looking ahead, we are developing important synergies with the Italian Navy, Difesa Servizi, RAI and the Italian Sailing Federation to host the Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour in Trieste, thus strengthening the connections between our city and Genoa in preparation for the 2027 America's Cup."
In the afternoon, the traditional moment of returning the Coppa d'Autunno and Trofeo Generali took place, with Furio Benussi and Giulia Leghissa returning the two challenge trophies to Mitja Gialuz - SVBG President - and Emma Ursich - Generali Group Corporate Identity Manager and CEO of The Human Safety Net Foundation - thus putting them up for competition in the 2025 edition.
Sailing at the Centre: Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour meets Barcolana
Within the spaces of the Vespucci World Tour, which has returned to Trieste with a dedicated stand in Piazza Unità d'Italia, Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour and Barcolana have announced major news for 2026.
The 2026 edition of "Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Il Veloce", the Mediterranean's longest regatta, organised by Difesa Servizi in collaboration with the Italian Navy and SSI Sport & Events, will start from Genoa and finish in Trieste during the 58th edition of Barcolana.
Barcolana Women in Sailing by Generali
Today was the day of "Barcolana Women in Sailing by Generali", the event promoted with the aim of enhancing mixed sailing and inclusive participation. Four Seascape18 one-designs with mixed crews competed in a series of four races, discarding the worst result.
The first race and the initial part of the second were held in regular land breeze conditions of 6-7 knots; the second was stopped at the first windward mark due to a sudden drop in intensity. The race course was then refreshed by a new sea breeze of 4-5 knots, which allowed completion of the third and fourth races.
The crew comprising Gaia Petracca, Luca Aldrovandi and Michela Stefani emerged victorious, followed by the Gruppo Sportivo delle Fiamme Gialle team, consisting of Emma Mattivi, Pietro Giacomoni and Carolina Albano. Third place went to Marta Zanetti - Paralympic athlete of the Fiamme Gialle, fifth in the Skud 18 class at London 2012 and sixth at Rio 2016 - alongside Daniele Sardellitti and Jamila Cerdeira; fourth was the crew comprising Cristina Pirola, Tommaso Salvi and Sofia Serafima Cerri.
"Equity and inclusion - commented Emma Ursich, Generali Group Corporate Identity Manager and CEO of The Human Safety Net Foundation - are achieved through action. That's why Generali is committed to concrete initiatives, especially those involving young people, that have a positive impact on the community. Sport offers an extraordinary opportunity for shared growth, and the Women in Sailing project with Barcolana is a perfect example. Congratulations to the winners of the Generali Women in Sailing regatta and to all participants for their passion and enthusiasm"
Barcolana Maxi - Trofeo Portopiccolo
A spectacular day for the Maxi fleet, protagonists of the Barcolana Maxi - Trofeo Portopiccolo, who competed today on the same course as Barcolana. The boats benefited from a good steady breeze, which at times exceeded 10 knots, providing an exciting and highly contested start. Excellent start for Prosecco Doc Shockwave 3, Pegaso and Doers on Board, immediately prominent in the early stages of the race.
The race was won by Shockwave 3 from Yacht Club Monfalcone, which finished ahead of Doers on Board and Pegaso from LNI La Spezia. After the first two races, the Barcolana Maxi - Trofeo Portopiccolo standings show Anywave by Alberto Leghissa in the lead, followed by Pegaso by Roberto Zambelli and Nice from Gruppo Sportivo Fiamme Gialle.
Barcolana Solaris Adriatic Cup
The Solaris fleet also took to the water today on the Barcolana course, starting a few minutes after the Maxis. The race was held in a progressively diminishing bora, replaced by a south-south-westerly wind that accompanied the boats until the Race Committee's decision to shorten the course at mark 3.
In Class B, Pittilanto by Pierpaolo Zani (Circolo Velico Orza) prevailed, finishing ahead of Isla Bonita III by Luigi Panozzo (Treviso Sailing Club) and Machi by Giulio Cerceo (Circolo Velico La Scuffia). In Class C, victory went to Lo Re by Matteo Forni (Circolo Velico Riminese), who finished ahead of Hangover by Andrea Agostini (DN Sistiana) and Fly by Massimo Dainese (Yacht Club Padova).
Barcolana Tri-Este24 European Championship - Spectacular Racing off Muggia
An intense day also for the Este 24 class, competing on the race course positioned off Muggia. From the early stages, competition was fierce, particularly in the leading positions. In the first race, Kaster 24, helmed by Antonio Sodo Migliori, took the lead, closely followed by Paolo Brinati on Ricca D'Este 27 and Marco Brinati - commodore of the class - aboard Est'è Mia.
In the second race, the wind completely shifted, forcing the Committee to reposition the starting line at 245 degrees with an intensity of 5-6 knots. This produced a very technical and competitive race, won by Milù 4 by Andrea Pietrolucci, ahead of Kaster helmed by Sodo Migliori. Third place went to Pink Team by Elisa Degrassi, protagonist of a progressive race.
The third race started around 1.00pm with wind stabilised at 270 degrees and slightly increased intensity, between 7 and 8 knots, compared to the 5-6 previously recorded. The race course remained that of the second race, in waters near the international border off Koper, whilst the first had been sailed closer to shore, towards Muggia. From the first beat, the challenge at the top intensified between RiDeCoSì 2 by Alessandro Maria Rinaldi and the consistently performing Kaster by Sodo Migliori. Following were Ricca d'Este by Paolo Brinati and Pink Team. After an exciting match race, victory went to Kaster, ahead of Ride Così. Third place for Poderosa 2.0, fourth Ricca d'Este, fifth Milù 4, whilst Pink Team finished sixth.
The fourth race was again held in 270 degrees wind with intensity around 6 knots. At the first windward mark, La Poderosa 2.0 surged into the lead, followed by Est'è Mia by Marco Brinati, whilst the Pink Team girls moved into third place, ahead of RiDeCoSì 2. The race was shortened with finish at the first leeward gate and Marco Brinati on Est'è Mia emerged victorious. The standings after 4 races show Kaster 24 by Antonio Sodo Migliori in the lead, followed by Milù 4 by Andrea Pietrolucci and La Poderosa 2.0 by Roberto Ugolini.
The Este 24 class day will conclude with the Stadium Race scheduled for 6.00pm in Bacino San Giusto, to provide further spectacle and adrenaline in the heart of the city.
Go To Barcolana da Ravenna - Trofeo Gruppo Hera: 25 crews from the Middle Adriatic at sea
25 crews took part in the Go To Barcolana da Ravenna - Trofeo Gruppo Hera, the approach regatta dedicated to boat owners from the Middle Adriatic heading to Trieste in view of Barcolana. Now in its fifth edition, the event was organised by Circolo Velico Ravennate in collaboration with Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano and with support from Gruppo Hera.
The fleet started at 2.00pm from Marina di Ravenna, with favourable weather and sea conditions for technical and demanding navigation along the route to the Gulf of Trieste. The first crew to cross the finish line was Movida by Ivo Petrelli (La Scuffia), completing the course in 1 day, 9 hours, 2 minutes and 57 seconds, winning the line honours of the 2025 edition.
In the ORC handicap classification, victory went to ELI by Mauro Cavazzuti (Circolo Velico Marinai d'Italia), followed in second place by Movida by Ivo Petrelli (La Scuffia), whilst Kidogo III, flying the colours of Circolo Velico Ravennate, took third place on the podium.
Barcolana Sea Summit - Conclusion with focus on underwater innovation
Final day of the Barcolana Sea Summit, which hosted two important meetings in the Representative Hall of the Regional Palace in Piazza Unità.
The first panel, entitled "National Underwater Dimension Hub: the future of underwater economy between research and innovation", represented a moment of discussion on technological and scientific development in the underwater sector, one year after Friuli Venezia Giulia's adhesion to the National Underwater Dimension Hub (PNS). Participants included: Regional Councillor Alessia Rosolen, Admiral Cristiano Nervi - Director of the Italian Navy's CSSN and PNS Operational Structure, Gabriele Maria Cafaro - Executive Vice President Underwater Fincantieri, Massimo Cavaliere - General Director of the Anton Dohrn Zoological Station in Naples, Ketty Segatti - Director of the specialist operational unit for research, innovation and EU funds of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Giorgio Sulligoi from the University of Trieste.
Following at 11.30am, the meeting "Underwater: economy, defence and protection" explored the strategic role of the underwater sector, highlighting the importance of sustainable development that encompasses security, research and environmental protection. The debate featured participation from journalist Donatella Bianchi and leading figures such as Senator Roberta Pinotti - President of the National Underwater Dimension Hub Foundation, Jessica Battle - Senior Global Ocean Governance and Policy Expert at WWF, Paola Severino - President of LUISS School of Law and the National School of Administration, and Pierroberto Folgiero - CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri.
"Today's reflection was comprehensive," summarised Donatella Bianchi, "on what constitutes the reality of major national and supranational interests regarding the potential exploitation and value of the abyss, of seabeds. This is a delicate topic, but from today's discussion it emerged that sustainability is not just a title, but part of a process of research, development, innovation and is also at the centre of legal attention for what will necessarily be an expected and necessary regulatory development. This was an important discussion for a country that is completely surrounded by the Mediterranean, a small hotspot, not only of biodiversity, but also of major interests, a crossroads of connections and links and invisible interests that lie beneath, perhaps right on the seabeds. We have fought major battles for many years to limit plastic dispersion in nature and to prevent it from ending up in the sea. Now this new moment of attention becomes central. There is a threat that consists of security, necessary for our underwater infrastructure, but it is also necessary for the survival of the most vulnerable species that inhabit our sea."
Tomorrow's Events: (Saturday 11th October)
- Coppa d'Autunno Barcolana 57 registrations - 9:00am Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano
- Barcolana TRI-ESTE24 - European Championship - 10:00am Gulf of Trieste
- Acting workshop on H. Ibsen's woman of the sea - 10:00am Casa della Musica, Auditorium
- A fleet for integration - 10:30am Delfino Verde berth pier
- Barcolana Classic Trofeo SIAD - parade - 10:30am Gulf of Trieste
- Go to Barcolana from Slovenia - 10:30am Adriatic Sea
- Barcolana Meteor One Design - 11:00am
- Barcolana Classic Trofeo SIAD race - 11:30am Gulf of Trieste
- Orienteering trial - 3:30pm Napoleonica, Prosecco side
- Barcolana Un Mare di Racconti - from 4:30pm Magazzino delle Idee, Meeting Room
- Barcolana Classic Trofeo Siad prize-giving - 5:00pm Yacht Club Adriaco
- Barcolana TRI-ESTE24 - European Championship prize-giving - 5:00pm Sala Victor de Sabata - Teatro Verdi Foyer
- Barcolana By Night - Regional CUP Meteor - 5:30pm Molo Audace - Bacino San Giusto
- Un nodo e via - 5:30pm CartaStracciaLab
- Go To Barcolana from Slovenia prize-giving - 6:00pm Sala Victor de Sabata - Teatro Verdi Foyer
- Barcolana By Night - Regional CUP Melges 24 - 6:30pm Molo Audace - Bacino San Giusto
- Owners' briefing - 7:00pm online
- Barcolana by Night - Regional CUP UFO 28 - 7:30pm Molo Audace - Bacino San Giusto
- An Ocean's song - 8:00pm Piazza Unità
- Techno cluster DJ set - 8:00pm Palco Cavana
Event website: www.barcolana.it