Nastro Rosa Tour 2026 Tropea Day 2
by Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour 26 Jun 21:43 BST
Nastro Rosa Tour 2026 Tropea Day 2 © Filippo Federici
The natural backdrop of the Costa degli Dei provided a day of intense emotion today, suspended between the exhausting wait for the breeze and the spectacular conclusion of a long offshore marathon.
The crystalline waters of Tropea, home to the highly anticipated InShore regattas for the Waszp and WingFoil classes of the Giro d'Italia Vela, transformed into an arena where the athletes' nerves and the race directors' patience were severely tested by decidedly fickle weather.
The Wind's Mockery: The "Stop and Go" of the Flying Dinghies
The morning began under the sign of uncertainty. For hours, the Calabrian waters remained almost still, characterized by a weak, unstable, and at times completely absent wind. Then, a sudden burst of wind: a fresh breeze began to lash the race course, rapidly rising to 12-13 knots.
The joy among the racers was immediate, and the committee seized the opportunity, immediately calling the start for the Waszp. But the Mare Nostrum can be a cruel director. Just as the flying dinghies began to lift on their foils, the wind dropped abruptly, dying in a matter of moments, forcing the judges to cancel the race. A frustrating scene that repeated itself a few minutes later: a second attempt at a start, another optical illusion, and another, inevitable cancellation. For the InShore classes, the day ended with nothing, leaving a bitter taste in their mouths but a strong desire for redemption.
The arrival of the Figaros: a daytime parade after 50 hours at sea
While the coasts suffered from the lack of wind, the open sea rewarded the endurance and tactics of the offshore sailors. For the first time in this edition of the Giro d'Italia a Vela, the Figaro fleet—arriving from Syracuse—crossed the finish line in Tropea in daylight, treating spectators on land to an extraordinary visual spectacle.
The teams completed a grueling endurance test lasting approximately 50 hours. Two days and two nights of non-stop navigation, spent interpreting the currents, managing fatigue, and chasing every last breath of wind in the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas.
The institutional podium: the Italian Air Force soars to the finish line
The finale of the Offshore Race saw a fierce duel between the government forces, resolved only in the final nautical miles.
The Italian Air Force crew secured a resounding and prestigious victory, successfully interpreting the challenging wind transitions and holding their nerve until the finish line.
The silver medal for this stage went to the Guardia di Finanza, which secured a splendid second place after battling until the very end. This high-level challenge boosted the fleet's morale and propelled the event forward to the next stages.
Third place podium winners were Flush Sailing club.