Barcolana57 presented by Generali - Day 4
by Barcolana 5 Oct 13:42 BST
1-12 October 2025
After the Bora, and while waiting for the strong wind expected tomorrow - which will take centre stage in Trieste - the first Saturday of Barcolana was marked by calm weather. No races were held today for the Para Sailing event, which consequently proclaimed its European champions, and only one race took place for the Barcolana Young in Trieste - organised with the support of Fondazione CRTrieste, Aqua Dolomia, UniCredit and Ferrarini - with more than 170 young athletes taking to the water in the late afternoon to complete the first race of the day, still under way at 5:30 p.m. (update to follow).
In Grado, on the other hand, the lack of wind allowed for an extraordinary edition of the Barcolana Grado SUP Experience, with a record number of participants and great enjoyment both on the water and on shore.
Meanwhile, the group of cyclists and the kayaking and rafting athletes - protagonists of the first two non-competitive events of Barcolana Lake UP - met at the Pioverno Bridge (Venzone) to celebrate together the first edition of the event organised by Barcolana in Upper Friuli.
Attention is now focused on tomorrow's weather conditions, Sunday 5 October: the strong Bora wind forecast for the morning has led to some programme adjustments, but enthusiasm and anticipation remain high for the arrival of Gregorio Paltrinieri, Honda ambassador for Barcolana Nuota powered by Honda - Trofeo Luca Giustolisi.
The Barcolana Village in Piazza Unità opened at 5 p.m., while at 9 p.m. a special free concert by Diodato is scheduled in Piazza Ponterosso.
BARCOLANA GRADO SUP EXPERIENCE - Perfect weather in Grado and record participation for the third edition of the Barcolana Grado SUP Experience, organised by the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano with the support of PromoTurismoFVG, the Municipality of Grado, GIT (Grado Impianti Turistici), Lega Navale Italiana di Grado, Società Canottieri Ausonia, KitelifeFVG, Wild SUP, and with the support of Acqua Dolomia, Despar Nord, Trenitalia Regionale and Ferrarini.
The event recorded unprecedented numbers, with more than 200 participants, including over 30 children and 60 women, taking part in an inclusive competition open to everyone - from professional athletes to enthusiasts. The start took place from the Imperial Beach of Grado, following a briefing led by Mitja Gialuz, President of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, and ambassador Caterina Stenta, who presented the new event regulations.
Two routes were planned: a short 4 km race for amateurs, along the classic course, and a new 7 km competitive course featuring a scenic entry into the lagoon and a lap around the island of Schiusa.
Between sport, fun and community spirit, there was also a symbolic moment: the presence of the historic sailing boat Blue Eyed Princess, winner of the 1985 Barcolana, present in Grado as a tribute to the bond between the sailing regatta and the great SUP festival.
"Barcolana Grado SUP Experience," said Mitja Gialuz, President of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, "has achieved an extraordinary result: in just two years, participation has grown from 60 to 200 entries, exceeding all expectations and setting a new record. The atmosphere is exhilarating, enriched by the presence of many children and enthusiasts who have chosen to experience the Barcolana in different ways. This great turnout confirms the value of the event and our commitment to involving more and more people. Viva la Barcolana Grado!"
On the sporting front, victory in the 7 km route went to Daniele Cani from Bologna, followed by Slovenians Bojan Bernard and Rok Puvar. The first woman and seventh overall was Romina Mariotto, representing the Wild SUPassociation.
In the 4 km classic course, victory went once again to Mauro Feltrin, winner of the two previous editions, followed by Gregorio Zanatta and Ezio Ferin. The first woman and twelfth overall was Croatian Antonija Frkovic.
Vice President Dean Bassi highlighted the determination of the youngest participants: "The first child in the rankings," he said, "is named Val and comes from Opatija, Croatia. For him it was a natural race - he's used to being on his SUP all year round. This bond with the sea is wonderful, and Barcolana's mission is precisely to nurture and sustain it."
The awards ceremony took place in the afternoon at the Antiche Terme di Grado, on the GIT beach at 3:00 p.m., accompanied by the traditional pasta party and followed by a DJ set by Alex Neri, with a large and enthusiastic turnout of both athletes and spectators.
BARCOLANA PARA SAILING EUROSAF INCLUSIVE EVENT - Carmelo Forastieri (LNI Palermo), Alessandra Franchi (YC Punta Ala), Alessandra Cappellu (Veliamoci ASD) - respectively in the men's, women's and youth single categories - and Lucia Garay with Maria Cristina Atoni in the double category, are the new European champions of the EUROSAF Inclusive Event.
A total of five races were held over the first two days of competition, during which the 23 crews faced the challenging Bora wind. The home wind made it possible to enjoy exciting and hard-fought races in the Gulf of Trieste. Carmelo Forastieri managed the various races consistently and skilfully, securing the continental title thanks to the discard rule.
Today, the lack of wind prevented further racing, confirming the results achieved on Friday on the water.
"The first two days of racing," commented Mitja Gialuz, "offered ideal conditions, and the gusty Bora allowed the athletes to enjoy themselves while remaining highly competitive. We witnessed beautiful scenes of fair competition both around the marks and aboard the Hansa 303s. It was an honour for us to organise this European Championship in Trieste together with the STV, and above all, to have an inclusive regatta open the 12 days of events for Barcolana57 presented by Generali."
Meanwhile, from Trieste, the official bid has been launched by World Sailing to be presented later this year to the Olympic Committee for the reinstatement of Para Sailing as an Olympic discipline.
The initiative was launched during a meeting between athletes; Mitja Gialuz and Dean Bassi representing the SVBG; Marina Simoni, President of the STV; and Hannah Stodel, Para Sailing Manager of World Sailing, in the presence of Francesco Ettorre, President of the Italian Sailing Federation (Federazione Italiana Vela).
BARCOLANA LAKE UP - Barcolana57 presented by Generali made its debut today in Upper Friuli with "Barcolana Lake Up", an event dedicated to outdoor and water sports held at Lake Cavazzo.
The opening day featured the Pedalata al Lago, a 30-kilometre cycling excursion organised by Pedale Gemonese, and a kayaking and rafting descent along the Tagliamento River, combining natural landscapes with convivial moments. The two groups of participants met at the Pioverno Bridge, near Venzone, where the cycling route crosses the river.
On Sunday 5 October, the programme continues with a model sailing regatta, a "miniature Barcolana" organised by ASD Nautilago and Modelvela, as well as a paragliding speed run organised by Volo Libero Friuli, which will colour the skies above the lake. Both events will conclude with awards at the Al Faro kiosk, in an atmosphere of celebration, sport and closeness to nature.
BARCOLANA NUOTA POWERED BY HONDA - TROFEO LUCA GIUSTOLISI - Due to adverse weather conditions forecast for the morning of Sunday 5 October, the Barcolana Nuota powered by Honda sea race has been cancelled. However, the celebration linked to the event will go ahead as planned.
Participants are invited to meet at 10:30 a.m. at the Convention Centre in Porto Vecchio, Viale Miramare 24/2, to collect their race packs and, above all, to meet Gregorio Paltrinieri, Honda ambassador.
A prize draw is also scheduled, with vouchers up for grabs to attend next Sunday's Barcolana.
BARCOLANA SEA PROJECT - The fifth edition of the Barcolana Sea Project opened this morning with a seabed clean-up operation in the Ponterosso Canal, promoted and organised by the environmental association L'Altritalia Ambiente of Trieste.
Divers, freedivers and volunteers on land took part, working throughout the morning and removing a large quantity of materials from the water, also using lifting balloons. The initiative was held under the patronage of the FIPSAS FVG Regional Committee, in collaboration with Sub Sea Club Trieste, Immersione con i Caschi, the Guardia di Finanza, and diving clubs Ghisleri, Deep Blue, Triblù, Circolo Sommozzatori Trieste and Circolo Subacqueo Udine.
The Municipality of Trieste participated through AcegasApsAmga, which handled the collection of the recovered materials, along with the Volunteer Fire Brigade of Trieste, present with their AIB vehicle.
WHERE PASSION MEETS THE SEA: THE "POP" STORIES OF THE REGATTA - Among the many boats that sail each year in the Gulf of Trieste is Laura, the Dullia S30 owned by Massimo Franceschini, representing a story of family tradition and inclusion. The boat has been part of the family since 1992 and has seen generations at the helm, from summer cruises in Croatia to regattas.
Massimo proudly recalls how, in the early 2000s, Laura was the first boat to host blind sailors during the Barcolana: "That was our greatest victory."
Barcolana has always been a key event for the crew, who have participated in every edition since the 50th. "Our motto is simple: have fun without causing damage," says Massimo, surrounded by friends and relatives who share the same passion for sailing.
Not far away, another boat tells a story of personal rebirth and the joy of sailing: Mery, an Elan 707 helmed by Valter Valvasori and registered with the Circolo Nautico Gruarius of Portogruaro.
Purchased in 2016, this 1978 boat has become a true companion on Valter's adventures and a way to face difficult times: "I took up sailing to commit myself to something new after the premature passing of my wife. Every navigation, from strong-wind sails to moments of total calm, is a precious memory."
Valter has taken part in Barcolana since the 50th edition, choosing his crew according to the weather conditions in order to enjoy every regatta without pressure - with the pleasure of being at sea as the main goal. "I've never sailed to win, but for the pure joy of participating," he explains. "Each outing is an opportunity for sharing and serenity."
In Chioggia, another boat tells a story of friendship, passion and rebirth: 4MONKEYS, a FAT 26 from the Treviso Sailing Club, skippered by Giampietro Sforza. Formerly known as Mind the Gap, a multi-award-winning boat in the Italian Minialtura Championships and the European Sport Boat Championships, it had been abandoned at the Venice Lido until a group of four friends decided to bring it back to life. The restoration was a labour of love, carried out entirely by the group, transforming the boat into a symbol of their friendship and shared passion for sailing.
Their best Barcolana result remains 217th overall, but for the crew, true success lies in the joy of sailing together, training new generations of sailors and sharing the enthusiasm that unites hundreds of enthusiasts.
Tomorrow's Schedule - Sunday 5 October
Due to adverse weather conditions, tomorrow the Barcolana programme will undergo some adjustments.
1. Barcolana Nuota powered by Honda - Trofeo Luca Giustolisi - Convention Centre, 10:30 a.m. - Meeting with Gregorio Paltrinieri
2. Barcolana Waterpolo - Water Polo Tournament - San Giovanni Swimming Pool
3. Barcolana Lake UP - Modelvela - Lake of the Three Municipalities (Lago dei Tre Comuni)
4. Barcolana Lake UP - Paragliding - Lake of the Three Municipalities (Lago dei Tre Comuni)
Event website: www.barcolana.it