There Barcolana 56 come alive with 1,757 crews who compete for the Autumn cut challenge themselves along the 13 miles in the waters of the Gulf of Trieste to win the title of Arche from Furio Benussi, big winner of the 2023 edition.
The Barcolana is the largest regatta in the world, the most “democratic” event in world sailing: any ship equipped with a sail can compete. A “sea party”, he says Mitja Gialuz, president of the Barcola and Grignano Club. “It will then be the wind combined with the sporting abilities of each crew which will make the difference. There are maxi and small hulls, all together. Because after all, it is, yes, good to win a regatta but it is just as well to participate in an event capable of shaking the world.”
A long list of sailors and sportsmenfrom the United States in Hong Kong, Olympic medalists Caterina Banti, Ruggero Tita, Alessandra Sensini, great champions like Chiara Benini Floriani, Flavia Tartaglini, Paolo Cian, Mauro Pelaschier, Tommaso Chieffi. And once again, Wendy Schmidt – the first female winner of the Barcolana – the Italian sailors brought together by Emergency – Giovanni Soldini, Alberto Riva, Ambrogio Beccaria and Alberto Bona – and the ski champions Elisabeth Goergl, Ivica Kostelic, Tina Maze and Kristian Ghedina.
Among them there are also Caroline Albanoone of the most internationally appreciated young sailors, who dreams of the 2028 Olympic Games, which will be held in Los Angeles. “In Trieste, we are at home, in “my” sea and we will try to give a hard time to all the opponents in the race, out of 1,800. But whatever happens, it is already a success because seeing 3,600 sails accompanied by the cannon will be exciting. »
It's there too Matteo Parenzan, the “first time” in the boat for Paralympic gold in table tennis. Triestino, he climbs onto a maxi yacht and helms: “What an incredible emotion. The sea and the wind are magnetic.”
Positive energies This is the theme of this 56th edition which also focuses on inclusion. A regatta that unites the countries bordering the Upper Adriatic, with Go to Barcolana from Slovenia for those arriving in Trieste from the neighboring country. A unique event for Friuli Venezia Giulia which, from this year, reaches the mountains. Ski legends like Elisabeth Goergl, Ivica Kostelic, Kristian Ghedina, Tina Maze also appear at the Barcolana village in Piazza Unità d'Italia.
