5th edition of The Grand Tour - Stage 1
by Manuel Vlacich 8 Mar 17:11 GMT
2 March 2026
5th edition of The Grand Tour - stage 1 - Franco Deganutti at Namaste Sculptures in Namo Ghat © The Grand Tour
The fifth edition of The Grand Tour Sailing develops around the theme of Time, chosen as the guiding
element of a journey that unites exploration, scientific research, territorial valorization and cultural
promotion.
In a world that is moving ever faster, we realize how valuable time is: the time already passed, the time we
are experiencing, and the time to come. The two athletes therefore decided to address this topic, obviously
doing it in their own way by sailing their boats to Varanasi (India), where time stands still; Greenwich
(England), where time flows; and the Diomede Islands (Bering Strait - Alaska) where time begins and ends.
The sports project, conceived and led by Friulian sailors Manuel Vlacich and Franco Deganutti, who have
already held a Guinness World Record and the title of Sailors of the Year - Passion category 2024, is now
one of the most recognized initiatives nationwide for its ability to combine sport, sustainability, and outreach.
The two sailors also act as ambassadors for the "Io sono Friuli Venezia Giulia" brand, featuring the region's
official logo on their uniforms and the sails of their boats, thus contributing to the international promotion
of the region's identity and values, a project that has also received the patronage of the Municipality of
Monfalcone.
The first stage of the 2026 edition took place on March 2nd in India, in the city of Varanasi, one of the oldest
inhabited centers in the world and a spiritual hub for millions of people. This is where the Ganges flows, a
sacred river in Hinduism and at the same time one of the most polluted waterways in the world, due to
heavy human pressure, urban and industrial waste, and the high population density of the regions it passes
through. In this context, Vlacich and Deganutti carried out what is considered the first documented sailing
voyage on the Ganges in the urban area of Varanasi, covering approximately seven kilometers between the
city's two main bridges.
The navigation was conducted parallel to the line of the ghats, avoiding interference with local river traffic,
which was particularly intense and characterized by transport vessels, tourist boats, and service vehicles. The
weather and sea conditions required a high level of attention: stable winds around 15 knots, river currents
of approximately 2 knots, and an average navigation speed of between 5 and 6 knots. The entire operation
was carried out with the support of a local escort vessel, in coordination with the local authorities, thus
ensuring compliance with the regulations and the sacred nature of the site.
The undertaking required particularly complex logistics. The two sailors transported two boats, the
necessary technical equipment as well as their personal luggage, for a total of 140 kg, undertaking the
journey completely independently. Requiring boats that could be transported to different continents and
loaded in the hold of the aircraft used, two Tiwal 3 inflatable boats, 3.30 m long and with a sail area of 7 m2,
were chosen for this expedition.
The expedition included departure from Trieste Airport, a stopover in Frankfurt, arrival
in New Delhi, an internal flight to Varanasi and a final transfer by land via taxi first, and then tuk tuk. Tuk
later. During the expedition, four water samples were also collected for the University of Udine, as part of
the multidepartmental project (DPIA, DI4A, DMIF involved) "AMARE", aimed at studying and protecting
inland waters. This activity is part of the two sailors' role as ambassadors for One Ocean Foundation,
contributing to raising awareness on issues related to the protection of aquatic ecosystems.
The next stage of the project will take the crew to the Diomede Islands, located in the Bering Strait between
Alaska and Siberia. The two islands, separated by just 3.8 km, are divided by the International Date Line,
which creates a 21-hour difference between Little Diomede (United States) and Big Diomede (Russian
Federation).
It is one of the most symbolic places in the world in relation to the theme of Time: a geographical
point where it is possible, at least symbolically, to depart from one island and reach the other " the day
before." Navigation in this area, characterized by extreme weather conditions and a great distance from
main communication routes, represents one of the most significant challenges of the entire edition.
In parallel with their exploration activities, The Grand Tour Sailing maintains strong ties with international
competitive sailing. During 2025, in their fourth edition of the project, Vlacich and Deganutti participated in
three major regattas, achieving prestigious results: second place at the Blue Ribbon Regatta on Lake Balaton
, participation in the Round Texel in the Netherlands, the world's largest catamaran regatta, and participation
in the Silverrudder in Denmark, one of the most challenging single-handed competitions in European sailing.
Even in these contexts, logistics were a distinctive feature, with the transportation of offshore vessels and
equipment across several European countries.
With this new edition dedicated to Time, The Grand Tour Sailing continues to demonstrate that sailing is not
just a competitive sport, but a way of reading the world, of traversing it, of narrating it. It is a language that
unites remote places, diverse cultures, and global environmental challenges. Vlacich and Deganutti bring with
them Friuli Venezia Giulia, its identity and its values, and bring them into dialogue with extraordinary places,
creating a bridge between yesterday and tomorrow, between adventure and science, between sea and land,
between man and time.