Naïf wins the XIII Principality of Monaco Trophy in Venice
by Alessandro Bagno 30 Jun 09:56 BST
27-28 June 2026
XIII Principality of Monaco Trophy in Venice © Matteo Bertolin
The thirteenth edition of the Monaco Principality Trophy - Le Vele d'Epoca in Laguna, a leading event for classic Adriatic sailing, has been successfully concluded.
The protagonist was Naïf by Ivan Gardini (Circolo Velico Ravennate), who won the Overall Aon Special Award but it was also the winner of beauty: the traditional sailing enchanted residents and tourists, once again transforming the banks of San Marco into a privileged observatory to admire up close the most beautiful "Lords of the Sea" of the Adriatic.
The event, promoted by Anna Licia Balzan, Honorary Consul of the Principality of Monaco in Venice and organized by the Yacht Club Venezia under the sporting direction of its president Mirko Sguario, saw twenty-eight boats of considerable historical importance engaged in the two scheduled regattas.
Final rankings
- Overall Aon Special Award: Naïf (winner 2023 and 2024)
- Yacht Era: 1º Ciao Pais - 2º Serenity - 3º Sister
- Classic Yachts: 1º Nembo II - 2º Aglaja - 3º Honeymoon
- Spirit of Tradition 1: 1º Niobe - 2º Menion - 3º Isabella
- Spirit of Tradition 2: 1º Cormorant - 2º Aspasia - 3º Spin One
- IOR Legend: 1º Liggera - 2º Naif - 3º Blu Show
- Sciarrelli: 1º Niobe - 2º Menion - 3º Isabella
Cormorant (1958) by Alessandro Dissera Bragadin also won the Venice Boat Show Award.
This edition also marked a turning point, integrating sports culture with environmental commitment, thanks to the collaboration with the Prince Albert II Foundation of Monaco-Italy, CNR ISMAR, Venice Sustainability Foundation and Corila.
In addition to the competition, this year the Trophy launched a message of sustainability, combining sport and the protection of the sea in the Lagoon. With a commitment to the future of our ecosystem, the Trophy confirms itself much more than a regatta: it is the beating heart of the nautical tradition that invites you to look, with awareness, at the protection of the sea.
On the evening of Saturday, June 27, the shipowners deepened the environmental commitment of the Principality through the intervention of Marco Colasanti, President for Italy of the Prince Albert II Foundation of Monaco, who illustrated the future objectives and projects of the Monegasque body. The meeting was hosted at the Palazzina Canonica in Riva Sette Martiri, headquarters of the Gateway of Biodiversity and the Institute of Marine Sciences (CNR ISMAR), partner of the initiative. Dr. also intervened at the evening. Alessandro Costa, representing the Venice Sustainability Foundation (VSF), and Eng. Pierpaolo Campostrini for Corila (Consortium for the Coordination of Research related to the lagoon system of Venice).
The award ceremony was subsequently held in the spaces of the CNR ISMAR at the Arsenal of Venice, granted by Dr. Mario Sprovieri where the carved oak craftsmanship made by Lunardelli Venezia was also delivered. The results of the regatta will contribute to the ranking of the A.I.V.E. Cup 2026 of the Adriatic.
Anna Licia Balzan, Honorary Consul of the Principality of Monaco in Venice, said: "I express great satisfaction for this edition. In addition to the always wide participation of our shipowners, this appointment marked the start of a synergy that we hope will be consolidated between the Prince Albert II Foundation of Monaco and the excellences of sustainability: CNR ISMAR, Venice World Capital of Sustainability and Corila. The goal of this collaboration is to strengthen the ties between Venice and the Principality of Monaco, a commitment that I have been pursuing for over 25 years in my consular functions, with particular attention to environmental protection. It is in this perspective that we also wanted to send a message to our shipowners: people who, by nature, have a deep care for their boats and a great respect for the sea and the territory. Precisely for this reason they represent the ideal interlocutors for this initiative."
The XIII Trophy Principality of Monaco was organized in collaboration with the Salone Nautico Venezia, Vela Spa with the patrons of Le Città in Festa and A.I.V.E. and benefited from the support of the main sponsor Aon, which gives the name to the Special Award, of Banca Generali and the collaboration of Vela Spa and Salone Nautico Venezia. Alongside the event also Mood, Canella, Il Palato Italiano, Zur KaiserKron and Batzen. Mure a Dritta signed the clothing made with recycled fabric from plastic; Villa Sandi, which awarded the winners with the Asolo Biodiversity Friend and Nature's by Bios Line with products based on natural ingredients and 100% vegan formulas.
www.yachtclubvenezia.it