by InTrieste
Under clear autumn skies, Trieste’s waterfront came alive Saturday as thousands gathered for the eve of the 57th Barcolana regatta, one of the world’s largest sailing events. This year’s edition will draw 1,865 boats, the highest number of entries since 2019, signaling a full return to pre-pandemic enthusiasm.
A surprise late entry by New Zealand sailing champion Dean Barker, who will compete aboard Marino Quaiat’s RC44 Tangaroa, added an extra spark to the already competitive field. Barker joins a long list of world-class sailors set to take part in Sunday’s race.
“The numbers at sea represent a post-pandemic record, clearly on the rise,” said Mitja Gialuz, president of the Sailing Club of Barcola and Grignano (SVBG), which organizes the event. “Tomorrow there will be more than 15,000 people aboard sailing boats. On land, participation has exceeded all expectations.”
Trieste’s waterfront and historic center were filled with visitors as the Barcolana Village stretched from Barcola to Piazza Unità, and for the first time, into Borgo Cavana, where live music, exhibitions, and workshops transformed the neighborhood into a vibrant cultural hub. “This edition zero of Borgo Cavana could serve as a prototype for expanding future editions into other parts of the city,” Gialuz said, noting the success of the new spaces and the “Village of Legality” in Piazza della Borsa, which focuses on promoting safety and respect for rules.
Gialuz emphasized that Sunday’s race should be “fun and safe,” urging sailors to ensure that all children and minors wear lifejackets and that crews respect safety regulations.
The start signal for Barcolana57 will be fired at 10:30 a.m. Forecasts call for light winds, beginning with Bora at the start before shifting westward — conditions that could test the tacticians’ skill.
Highlights From the Da
Barcolana Classic – SIAD Trophy
A fleet of 90 yachts — from vintage vessels designed by Carlo Sciarrelli to classic IOR and Spirit of Tradition models — competed in two races with light westerly winds and a gentle swell.
- Epoca: Ciao Pais (Massimo Fonda, STV)
- Classici: Nembo II (Nicolò de Manzini, YCA)
- IOR: Riff (Massimo Nadalin, SV Oscar Cosulich)
- Passere: Barcolana50 (SVBG)
- Sciarrelli A: Agos (Luciano Agostini, Il Portodimare)
- Sciarrelli B: Hwyl (Sergio Milazzi, SV Oscar Cosulich)
- Spirit of Barcolana: Serbidiola (Sergio Irredento, STV)
The regatta opened with a traditional parade in the San Giusto Basin, drawing applause from spectators gathered along the waterfront.
Barcolana TriEste24 – European Championship
In ideal conditions, Kaster 24, helmed by Antonio Sodo Migliori of YC Costa Smeralda, won the Este24 European Championship with an impressive series of results (1–2–1–3–1–1). Milù 4 (Andrea Pietrolucci, CV Fiumicino) finished second, followed by RiDeCoSì (Alessandro Maria Rinaldi, CC Aniene).
“We are very satisfied with the organization here in Trieste,” Rinaldi said. “Yesterday we had four technically challenging races and an evening stadium race in the San Giusto Basin — a spectacle at sunset with pink gennakers filling the air.”
Go to Barcolana from Slovenia – I Feel Slovenia
Cross-border excitement came from the tenth edition of this friendly competition, won by Generali, skippered by Samo Žvan, with a time of two hours and seven minutes. Shining finished four minutes behind, followed by Adriatic Europa. The race started in the Gulf of Portorož and ended along Trieste’s waterfront, where thousands welcomed the Slovenian crews.
Barcolana Meteor One Design
Forty Meteor class boats raced in the Gulf in preparation for Sunday’s main event. Frivolotto (Gabriele Fano, SVBG) took first place, ahead of Basilico (Matteo Sampiero, CDV Erik) and Senza Intoppi (Mario Pisetta, Velica Trentina).
The day closed with the Barcolana By Night – Regional Cup, a nighttime spectacle that illuminated the Gulf of Trieste and marked the traditional close of the pre-race festivities.
Sunday’s Schedule – October 12
- Barcolana57 presented by Generali, 10:30 a.m. – Gulf of Trieste
- Barcolana Trekking 2025, 8 a.m. – Ciglione Carsico
- Exhibitions: Fuori Rotta at Eataly; The Bora’s Oil in the Sea of Trieste at Aquilinia 420; Solo Exhibition by Fulvio Conte at the Stelio Crise State Library
- Sagravana Festival, 2:30 p.m. – Borgo Cavana Stage
- Barcolana Prize Draw, 5:30 p.m. – Honda Stand
As Trieste prepares for the start of the race, the city is once again living up to its reputation as the sailing capital of the Adriatic — a place where sea, sport, and celebration come together in one unforgettable weekend.
