by InTrieste
As the Barcolana regatta approaches its grand finale, Trieste’s waterfront is alive with events celebrating inclusion, innovation, and community. Tuesday’s program, traditionally dedicated to sailing for solidarity, brought together dozens of volunteer associations and athletes across the Gulf of Trieste for a day devoted to social inclusion and the joy of sailing.
The Barcolana per il Sociale, organized by Triestina della Vela and the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, featured two historic regattas: the 22nd Fuorivento Trophy and Le Vele di Calicanto. Ninety participants representing associations from across the Triveneto region—including Coop Casasole and Auser Insieme Per Crescere of Treviso, Coop Itaca of San Daniele and Udine, and I Girasoli of Trieste—took part.
In the Fuorivento Trophy, Treviso’s Corsari team claimed first place, followed by Casamatti (Treviso) and Falegnami (Pordenone). In Le Vele di Calicanto, the crew of Novella took top honors, ahead of Serbidiola and White Flint. The afternoon concluded with a lively concert by the Calicanto Band and an awards ceremony celebrating the values of friendship, inclusion, and sport for all.
Free Parking and City Access
To facilitate attendance, Barcolana organizers announced 399 free parking spaces in central Trieste from Thursday, October 9, through Sunday, October 12. The initiative—supported by Coop Alleanza 3.0, Trieste Terminal Passeggeri, and Trieste Porto Servizi—includes eight spots reserved for people with disabilities. Access will be through Largo Santos, with staff on-site to assist drivers.
Barcolana FUN: The Pursuit of Speed
This year’s Barcolana FUN saw record participation in what organizers call “the world’s fastest sailing event.” Over 120 athletes from Italy and Slovenia uploaded more than 230 GPS tracks to GPSformula.com, competing in disciplines such as wingfoil, kitefoil, and windsurf.
Francesco Cappuzzo of Sicily dominated the Wingfoil category, while Massimo Chieffo triumphed in Kitefoil at Torvajanica. Grado’s Emanuele Zoratti won the Twintip class, and Slovenia’s Luca Pozar led in Windsurf Foil. Every category broke the 30-knot barrier, with top speeds reaching 37.5 knots in Windsurf Slalom.
Winners will be honored at an awards ceremony on Thursday, October 9, at Local Bar & Restaurant in Trieste.
Teaching Sustainability, Piece by Piece
At the Barcolana Village, Gold Sponsor Veolia launched “Building the Future: Sustainability, Piece by Piece,” an environmental education project involving seven primary school classes from Trieste. Students are creating a large mosaic depicting the city using recycled materials such as plastic caps, fabrics, and seashells. The final artwork will be assembled in Piazza Verdi on Friday morning, October 10.
Barcolana Sea Summit: Water, Energy, and the Future
The fifth edition of the Barcolana Sea Summit continues through October 11 at the Generali Convention Centre. The event’s morning session focused on “Energy and Climate: Water as a Source and a Resource to be Protected,”highlighting the intersection of climate change, electrification, and digital transformation in water management.
Regional Councillors Alessia Rosolen and Fabio Scoccimarro will attend the summit’s opening ceremony alongside scientists from the National Research Council (CNR) and the University of Padua. Later sessions will explore career opportunities in Europe’s growing blue economy sector.
University Challenge on the Water
The Barcolana Dragon Boat University Challenge, organized by CUS Trieste and the University of Trieste, returned with four university teams racing dragon-headed boats across San Giusto Basin. After a series of tight heats, CUS Trieste secured first place ahead of CUS Bari, with CUS Venezia Ca’ Foscari taking third.
“The Dragon Boat Challenge embodies the essence of Barcolana—teamwork, energy, and inclusion,” said Mitja Gialuz, president of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano. “It reminds us that sport is an educational tool that unites the academic world with the spirit of the sea.”
What’s Next
Wednesday’s packed schedule includes the opening of the Barcolana Village, the Barcolana Maxi Portopiccolo Trophy in the Gulf of Trieste, and several Sea Summit events. Art installations, workshops for children, and exhibitions across the city will continue through the week, leading up to Sunday’s main regatta—the world’s largest sailing race—when thousands of sails are expected to fill the Gulf once again.
