Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour 2026 Cattolica Day 1
by Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour 6 Jun 10:13 BST
Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour 2026 Cattolica Day 1 © Filippo Federici
The 2026 Giro d'Italia Vela has officially begun, immediately providing thrills. The fleet of ten Bénéteau Figaro 3s set sail from Venice, offering a breathtaking spectacle in the canal in front of Piazza San Marco.
The official start, initially scheduled for 1:00 PM, was slightly delayed to ensure maximum crew safety due to heavy ferry and vessel traffic in the lagoon.
The race: from flat calm to gusts of 18 knots
The initial stages were characterized by a light southeast wind, which made the racers' exit from the Gulf of Venice rather slow. Once in open sea, however, the long journey south toward Cattolica began.
The weather put the sailors' tactics to the test: after almost completely dropping, the wind gradually increased to 18 knots with gusts. In this thrilling upwind race, several Italian crews took turns leading the fleet, making the most of every bit of wind activity.
The Cattolica Podium
The arrivals in the Romagna city were concentrated in the early evening, between 7 and 9 pm.
1st Place. The first leg was won by the Guardia di Finanza's Figaro 3, led by expert helmsman and tactician Paolo Cian, with Fabio Montefusco on rigging.
2nd Place. The British team from Verein Seglerhaus am Wannsee (VSaW) finished just behind.
3rd Place. Rounding out the podium was the other Italian Navy vessel, led by Andrea Pendibene and Benedetta Di Salle.
A masterful performance for all participants: the leg concluded without any contact between boats or protests, a sign of the utmost concentration on board. Safety and route management were also excellent, both by the Zone XII committee at the start and the race committee at the finish.
Tomorrow, all eyes are on the InShore trials
The action doesn't stop. Tomorrow, the Gulf of Cattolica will transform into a high-adrenaline arena with the InShore trials. In the water, we'll see not only the Figaro 3s, but also the lightning-fast Waszp and dynamic WingFoils. A spectacle, both for the racers and the spectators on land, is guaranteed.