by Nina Vaclavikova
Interviews: Luca Andreoli — Chief Executive Officer of Difesa Servizi; Riccardo Simoneschi — President of SSI Sports & Events and Chief Executive Officer of Marina Militare Nastro Rosa
The German team MW won the sixth edition of the Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Veloce, a nonstop offshore sailing race covering 1,560 nautical miles from Genoa to Trieste, organizers announced Friday.
The awards ceremony took place Oct. 9 aboard the Italian Navy training ship Amerigo Vespucci, which arrived in Trieste to conclude its 2026 North American campaign during the events surrounding the 58th Barcolana regatta.
The French team Caracole RORC finished second, winning the Repubbliche Marinare award for recording the fastest combined times at checkpoints in Pisa, Amalfi and Venice. Britain’s Red Dragon placed third, while Italy’s Fati Group finished fourth as the highest-ranked Italian team.
The race began in Genoa on Sept. 25 and brought together 10 crews comprising 20 sailors from Italy, Germany, France, Britain, the United States and New Zealand. Competitors faced more than 300 hours at sea, navigating challenging wind and current conditions along the Italian coastline.
The contest was decided by a narrow margin. Riccardo Simoneschi, president of SSI Sports & Events and chief executive of Marina Militare Nastro Rosa, said the gap between the first- and second-place teams was just 67 minutes after approximately 1,700 miles of actual sailing.
“It was a fascinating edition,” Simoneschi said, describing the race as a 13-day challenge that received an enthusiastic welcome in coastal communities across Italy.
Organized by Italy’s Ministry of Defense, the Italian Navy and Difesa Servizi, in collaboration with SSI Sports & Events, the event aims to promote sailing and Italy’s maritime heritage. The route highlights the country’s historic seafaring traditions, including those of the four Maritime Republics.
The ceremony also brought together the race and the Amerigo Vespucci, whose arrival in Trieste marked the conclusion of its North American tour. The ship, one of the Italian Navy’s best-known vessels, was a prominent presence during the week’s Barcolana celebrations.
Vice Adm. Flavio Biaggi, representing the chief of staff of the Italian Navy, said the events reflected a shared commitment to maritime culture and to introducing younger generations to sailing.
The Nastro Rosa Veloce is part of a broader initiative to promote Italy’s coastal destinations, cultural heritage and tourism. Organizers say the project combines competitive sailing with efforts to highlight the country’s relationship with the sea.
