by InTrieste
Interviews: Gregorio Paltrinieri, Olympic and World Champion swimmer, Honda ambassador; Mitja Gialuz, President of the Barcolana regatta
The sea portion of the Barcolana Nuota powered by Honda was canceled on Sunday, October 5, due to adverse weather conditions, organizers announced. Despite the rough forecast, enthusiasm remained high as participants and fans gathered at the Old Port Convention Center on Viale Miramare 24/2 for the event’s indoor celebration.
The morning’s planned open-water swim was officially called off for safety reasons, but the festive spirit of the Barcolana — Trieste’s world-renowned sailing regatta and the city’s annual celebration of the sea — endured indoors. Swimmers, volunteers, and visitors met at the General Convention Center at 10:30 a.m. to collect their race packets and share in the communal excitement that defines the event each year.
Among those in attendance was Gregorio Paltrinieri, Olympic and world champion swimmer, who serves as the event’s Honda ambassador. Paltrinieri greeted participants and fans, taking time for photos and conversation despite the change in schedule. “It’s always a pleasure to be here in Trieste,” he said. “Even when the sea doesn’t cooperate, the passion of the people makes this event special.”
We also spoke with Mitja Gialuz, president of the Barcolana regatta, who emphasized that safety comes first but noted the enduring enthusiasm of the community. “Barcolana is about much more than competition,” Gialuz said. “It’s about sharing a love for the sea, and that spirit can’t be canceled by the weather.”
While swimmers will have to wait another year to take to the water, the day served as a reminder of the Barcolana’s unique ability to unite Trieste — athletes, residents, and visitors alike — around a shared maritime heritage, rain or shine.
