4th edition of The Grand Tour - Stage 1

by Manuel Vlacich 19 Jun 2025 22:42 BST 12-14 June 2025

The first stage of the fourth edition was held from 12 to 14 June on the island of Texel in the Netherlands. Here the sailing duo of Manuel Vlacich and Franco Deganutti took part aboard a very fast Hobie Cat Tiger, in the 46th edition of the Round the Texel, the largest catamaran regatta in the world.

The event saw the participation of over 200 crews from all over the world, confirming itself as one of the most spectacular and challenging events in the international sailing calendar.

Weather conditions and technical challenge: the race took place in typically Nordic weather conditions with a start with an average wind from the south-east that gradually consolidated over the course of the day at around 20 knots, slightly varying its direction from the north-west.

After a very slow passage to the De Cocksdorp lighthouse caused by a drop in the wind and a fair amount of countercurrent, the climb up the eastern side of the island was held with a rough sea, especially in the critical stretch near the mainland in the ferry route.

In this area, arriving late means facing a countercurrent with a cross sea defined by the locals as the "washing machine effect", which forced several crews to retire due to breakages, dismasting and capsizing.

The Italian team was able to manage the difficult conditions with experience and lucidity, completing the circumnavigation of the island with a good performance (6th in the Tiger 18" category and 164th overall on compensation) confirming their experience and team spirit in doubles.

A project that combines sport, sustainability and identity, participation in the Round the Texel is not only a sporting challenge, but also an opportunity to promote the values of sustainability and sea culture. The project is sponsored by the One Ocean Foundation and supported by the Io Sono Friuli Venezia Giulia brand, of which the two sailors are ambassadors, as well as promoters of GO2025 - Gorizia and Nova Gorica European Capital of Culture.

Each stage of the Grand Tour is designed to tell the story of a territory, a story and a message of respect for the environment.

Next stops after Texel, the team will participate in the Blue Ribbon Round the Lake Balaton Race in Hungary in July, as a three-man crew aboard a Meteor with owner Daniele Balzanelli. In September, it will be the turn of the Silverrudder Challenge of the Sea in Denmark, where Deganutti will face the largest offshore race for solo sailors in the world aboard a Ufo28.