by InTrieste
In a ceremony held in the historic Salotto Azzurro of Trieste’s City Hall, Mayor Roberto Dipiazza presented the Bronze Medal of the City of Trieste to the Fast and Furio Sailing Team, founded and led by veteran sailor Furio Benussi. The honor marks the twentieth anniversary of the team’s first victory at the Barcolana regatta, won in 2005 aboard Skandia – Trieste Provincia di.
The event, held during the week of the 57th edition of the Barcolana, was attended by Regional Councillor for the Environment, Energy and Sustainable Development Fabio Scoccimarro, Sports Councillor Elisa Lodi, team co-founder Gabriele Benussi, and members of both the Fast and Furio and the Fast and Furio Young teams.
Mayor Dipiazza praised the Benussi brothers for their long-standing contribution to Trieste’s sailing legacy. “Furio and Gabriele have made history at the Barcolana and brought prestige to our city,” he said, recalling his own past experiences sailing with them. “With them, I’ve lived extraordinary moments, even back when I was mayor of Muggia.” He also thanked the team for their commitment to restoring boats and mentoring young sailors.
Councillor Lodi emphasized the team’s role as ambassadors for Trieste beyond Italy’s borders. “You have carried our city’s name far and wide,” she said. “Your dedication to the younger generation is truly commendable and makes you an example for the whole community.”
Accepting the award, Furio Benussi said the medal represents “a source of great pride for the entire team.” His brother Gabriele added that the recognition honors not only their competitive success but also their efforts to promote Trieste through sailing: “This is a prize for the city. Our boat, Arca SGR, now represents Trieste around the world.”
Founded two decades ago, the Fast and Furio Sailing Team has become one of Trieste’s most successful and influential sailing organizations, with a strong focus on environmental innovation, youth education, and regional promotion. In 2024, the team achieved a perfect season, winning all seven regattas entered—including Barcolana 56, the Tre Golfi, the 151 Miglia, the Trofeo Bernetti, and the Trieste–San Giovanni in Pelago–Trieste race. The victory at Barcolana 56 marked the third consecutive win for Arca SGR and the seventh overall for Furio Benussi, a record in the regatta’s history.
Beyond competition, the team runs several initiatives that connect sport, sustainability, and education. Through the Fast and Furio Young project, launched in collaboration with Trieste’s Nautical Institute, young sailors from across the Adriatic and Mediterranean receive training in sailing and team management. The program’s youth crew sails aboard Marta 07, a vessel refitted entirely with recycled materials as part of the Boat Recycle in Action for Sailing (BOREAS) project.
Arca SGR, the team’s flagship, is a 100-foot maxi yacht reconstructed from a derelict hull using sustainable practices. It is the first yacht in the world to receive an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) from RINA, certifying its low-impact life cycle. The project also carries the regional EcoFVG “Io sono Friuli Venezia Giulia” label, reinforcing Trieste’s position as a leader in green innovation.
Today, the Fast and Furio team employs around 100 people, including sailors, technicians, and logistics specialists, many from Trieste and neighboring regions of Slovenia, Croatia, and Austria. The team’s activities contribute significantly to the city’s tourism and maritime industries, particularly by extending visitor interest beyond the summer season.
Through its achievements, the Fast and Furio Sailing Team has not only strengthened Trieste’s reputation as the capital of Italian sailing but also highlighted its growing role as a hub for sustainable maritime development and education.
