Barcolana 52 presented by Generali: the Village this opened morning, at 8pm the unveiling of Aria

With the opening of the Barcolana Village at 10 this morning in Piazza dell’Unità, Barcolana52 presented by Generali came alive and prepares safely for the long weekend of regattas and events. The city gets into the spirit and even the boats that are candidates for victory “sharpen their weapons”. First, EWOL Way of Life, announced the presence of their exceptional helmsman via a video on social media and a press release. Robert Scheidt, the 47-year-old Brazilian, who will participate in his seventh Olympics in 2021, will lead EWOL in this edition of the Barcolana. Scheidt has an impressive collection of wins: five golds, two silvers and a bronze at the Olympics, and 13 world titles. In the afternoon the EWOL team, winner of the 2019 edition, officially returned the first-place trophy during the traditional ceremony held in the heart of the Barcolana Village in Piazza Unità, in front of the Regional Building of Friuli Venezia Giulia. This symbolic gesture puts the first-place title back on the line and reissues the challenge for victory.

Always at sea, the day once again saw the protagonists of the Persico 69F of Barcolana FUN Siram Veolia: after yesterday's outings in search of the perfect gust of Bora, today there were activities with sailing enthusiasts who wanted to learn foiling techniques. In three days, more than fifty people will be able to learn this new sailing technique thanks to Siram Veolia. Meanwhile, in the Gulf today, the Nastro Rosa Tour 2021 showcase arrived: three days of regattas and performances with DIAM 24 trimarans and kite-foils visible from the shore. Yesterday the Venice-Trieste regatta for the three L30 crews ended: the victory, a taste of what the Nastro Rosa Tour 2021 will be, went to Alberto Bona and Cecilia Zorzi.

LAND ROVER ROAD TO BARCOLANA - Among the guests of Barcolana expected in the next few days is Vittorio Bissaro, who won bronze in the European Nacra 17 only a few days ago in Austria. As Ambassador for Land Rover, tomorrow afternoon he will carry out an exceptional Clinic aboard the Barcolana50 for the three young Trieste athletes who qualified for the European Optimist. The event -Land Rover Road to Barcolana -  will feature Lisa Vucetti, Tommaso Geiger and Giuseppe Montesano, ready to acquire the secrets from the young champion. Read the full press release for the initiative.

PIAZZA UNITÀ - Back on land, Barcolana's pop-up stores and partner and sponsor spaces opened this morning at 10 a.m. Among the activities available to the public  are "Una giornata leggera", the eco-game by EstEnergy that helps show how much our behaviors weigh on the environment. Also, , the tasting event "The flavors of our territory" by Despar is available through reservation.

STEFANO CONTICELLI RECEIVED BY THE MAYOR IN THE “SALOTTO AZZURRO”- This morning the Mayor of Trieste, Roberto Dipiazza, and the Superintendent of Youth Services, Francesca De Santis, welcomed Stefano Conticelli, the artist who created the symbolic installation for Barcolana 52, to the “Salotto Azzurro”, a reception area for special ceremonies and guests.

"I am grateful to Barcolana and the whole city of Trieste” - said Stefano Conticelli – “for giving me the opportunity to make this wonderful work using the travertine marble of the Caves of Guidonia belonging to Morelli and Corten steel. Tonight at 8 p.m. we will unveil the installation in Piazza dell’Unità, one of the most beautiful squares in the world, and we will tell you the story of how it came to be.”

“When Stefano Conticelli proposed to bring his work to Piazza dell’Unità” - said SVBG President Mitja Gialuz – “we never thought that it would be such an impressive and meaningful work. But as often happens during Barcolana, an event capable of inspiring many people and bringing them together in harmony as is reflected in our mission “Together”, beautiful things can happen. This unique work, created with so much love and precision, will represent us this year, because we find within ourselves that spirit of precision, love, and the will to carry out a great and important work. Also represented within the most artistic meaning of "Aria", is the purity that calls to Nature, and we, who are responsible for the task and commitment to protect it. Thanks to Stefano Conticelli, and his great compassion that is seen in every vein of this marble, in every chisel strike, a strong emotion that is shared with us all".
The unveiling of "Aria" will take place tonight at 8 p.m. in Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia.

ANTICOVID MEASURES ON LAND - Following the meeting in the Prefecture between institutions and law enforcement, measures relating to the influx of people into the Barcolana areas on land have been defined. On the Rive, between the Molo Audace and the Stazione Marrittima, access will be restricted from 2pm on Saturday afternoon until Sunday at the end of the regatta. The area will be able to accommodate 1,000 people at once: six gates will be in use, four to enter and two to exit. Access to Piazza dell’Unità will be open, but in the event of a large influx of people it will be manned by ushers, who, using guidance barriers, will create a one-way flow of travel. As for the rules on masks, they will be the same as those provided by the DPCM, meaning, they will have to be worn at all times.

Meanwhile, with regards to the ASUGI anti-Covid protocols which the crews participating in the regatta must follow, this morning the operation began: the sailors participating in crews of more than eight people are sending their negative Covid swab test certificates, and are reserving appointments to carry out the screenings scheduled starting tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. at Molo IV. On this front, the organizers recommend maximum punctuality to the assigned appointment, always with the aim of avoiding the creation of assemblies.

INSHORE: TONIGHT AT 8 PM THE ITALIAN SEMIFINALS - There is great anticipation for the semi-finals of the Barcolana e-sailing CUP: after more than 8,000 fans participated in the qualifiers, competing in thousands of races in the virtually reconstructed Gulf of Trieste, this evening at 8 p.m. the semi-finals take place, in which 20 sailors participate. From the semi-finals will come the 10 finalists who will clash on Friday the 9^th at 9pm, and from the Grand Final, after a very long and exciting regatta, the podium of the second edition of the Barcolana e-sailing CUP will be determined. Both the semi-finals and finals are commented live on esailing.tv.