by InTrieste
A day of calm seas brought sailing to a standstill in Trieste on Wednesday, forcing the cancellation of several races scheduled ahead of the 57th edition of the Barcolana, one of the world’s largest sailing regattas. With no wind on the Gulf of Trieste, organizers called off the Barcolana Maxi – Portopiccolo Trophy, the Solaris Adriatic Cup, and the Este24 European Championship.
Despite the lack of wind, the day was filled with onshore events as preparations for Sunday’s main race continued. The Barcolana registration office reported more than 1,700 boats already signed up for the regatta, which annually transforms the Adriatic port city into a hub of international sailing activity.
At the Generali Convention Center, the Barcolana Sea Summit continued with discussions on marine conservation, sustainability, and civic engagement. The day concluded with “Fiumi Scomparsi” (“Vanished Rivers”), a theatrical performance by Marco Paolini, with musician Paolo Fresu and director Rajeev Badhan. The show explored the hidden waterways beneath modern Trieste, weaving together storytelling, music, and projections to reflect on the relationship between humanity and nature.
The summit will continue Thursday with institutional panels at the Friuli Venezia Giulia Regional Headquarters, including discussions on underwater research, defense, and sustainability. Regional Councillor for Education and Research Alessia Rosolen, Admiral Cristiano Nervi of the Italian Navy, and executives from Fincantieri and other institutions are expected to participate.
Elsewhere, the Barcolana Village saw the inauguration of the new Safety Village, featuring stands from Italy’s main law enforcement and emergency agencies. “This is the first time the Barcolana dedicates an area entirely to safety and prevention,” said Mitja Gialuz, president of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, which organizes the event.
A new free parking area in the city center also opened Wednesday, offering 399 spaces near the Porto Vecchio area, available through Sunday night.
The evening program features the debut of “An Ocean Song,” a video mapping installation by the Schmidt Ocean Institute and Deep Blue Racing Team, projecting deep-sea imagery up to 4,500 meters below the surface. Some editions will feature narration by Italian actors Claudio Santamaria and Greta Scarano.
The Fondazione Aquileia also opened its exhibition stand, “Aquileia, Gateway to the Mediterranean,” highlighting the region’s Roman heritage. On Thursday evening, a videomapping display on the hull of a Solaris 40 yacht will combine ancient history with contemporary nautical design.
Races are set to resume Friday, including the Barcolana Women in Sailing and the Barcolana Tri-Este24 European Championship, weather permitting.
