THE LARGEST SAILING RACE IN THE WORLD
Trieste, 1 - 12 October 2025
Trieste, 1 - 12 October 2025
Barcolana - News03.10.25
A weekend across friuli venezia giulia: today focus on aquileia and its connection to water
At Aquileia, the Foundation recorded a sell-out – with 100 reservations in just two hours – for the event “Aquileia, Gateway to the Mediterranean”.
“I thank the Aquileia Foundation for believing in the Barcolana,” added Gialuz, “and for the shared journey over the years, which has led to significant growth and a strong partnership with both the Municipality of Aquileia and Solaris Yachts. A special thanks goes to Erica Zanon, who, with her team, has followed this project with passion and determination. This year, Barcolana is dedicated to water in all its forms: the salt water of the Mediterranean but also the fresh waters of Friuli Venezia Giulia’s lakes and rivers. For this reason, it was only natural to begin in Aquileia, a symbolic place where fresh water meets salt water and where, in ancient times, one of the Mediterranean’s most important ports stood.”
Participants took a true journey back in time: from the ancient River Port to the “Fondo Pasqualis” market, and finally to the Natissa River, where the Barcolana’s special crew boarded the Santa Maria. Sailing took them to the river mouth and into the lagoon, before continuing on foot to the Roman Forum. The deep connection between Aquileia and the sea – from pre-Roman times to the twentieth century – was narrated by archaeologists Cristiano Tiussi (Director of the Aquileia Foundation) and Angelica Gabrielli (PhD candidate, University of Verona), together with a technician from the Friuli Plain Land Reclamation Consortium, Santa Maria skipper Nico Pavan, Solaris Yachts President Federico Gambini, and tour guide Anna Sairu.
Further initiatives linked to the Foundation’s presence at Barcolana include a stand in the Barcolana Village, opening on Thursday 9 October at 18:30, and a video-mapping installation on a Solaris yacht to be displayed in Piazza Unità starting tomorrow morning.
SEAYOU@BARCOLANA - This afternoon also saw the start of a new edition of SEAYOU@BARCOLANA, bringing cultural activities, performances and tastings of local products to the Bay of Sistiana.
READY FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY WEEKEND - This coming weekend promises to be an unforgettable celebration of sport and the sea, with more than 1,500 athletes and enthusiasts taking part in Barcolana events across Friuli Venezia Giulia.
On Saturday, attention will turn to Grado, where over 180 paddlers will close the summer season with the Barcolana Grado SUP Experience. The “city of the sun” will come alive as competitors of all levels take to the water, some following a 4 km course for amateurs, others challenging themselves on the longer 7 km route, which also circles the island of Schiusa.
On Sunday, the spotlight shifts to Lignano Pineta for a spectacular showcase of Beach Sprint, the discipline that is set to make its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028. More than 200 athletes will compete along the shoreline, bringing energy and spectacle to the beach.
The Lake of the Three Municipalities will also become a hub of activity with the Barcolana Lake UP, where a hundred participants will test themselves in four different disciplines: cycling, kayaking, model sailing and speed running.
Back in Trieste, young sailors will be in action with the Barcolana Young, organised with the support of Fondazione CRTrieste and involving more than 170 athletes. And the water will once again be the stage for another record-breaking event: the Barcolana Nuota powered by Honda – Luca Giustolisi Trophy, with no fewer than 451 swimmers taking to the sea, joined by Olympic champion Gregorio Paltrinieri, ambassador of the event.
It will be a weekend in which every corner of the region, from the lakes to the beaches, from the villages to the heart of Trieste, comes together under the spirit of Barcolana – a festival of sport, inclusion and passion for the sea.
“I thank the Aquileia Foundation for believing in the Barcolana,” added Gialuz, “and for the shared journey over the years, which has led to significant growth and a strong partnership with both the Municipality of Aquileia and Solaris Yachts. A special thanks goes to Erica Zanon, who, with her team, has followed this project with passion and determination. This year, Barcolana is dedicated to water in all its forms: the salt water of the Mediterranean but also the fresh waters of Friuli Venezia Giulia’s lakes and rivers. For this reason, it was only natural to begin in Aquileia, a symbolic place where fresh water meets salt water and where, in ancient times, one of the Mediterranean’s most important ports stood.”
Participants took a true journey back in time: from the ancient River Port to the “Fondo Pasqualis” market, and finally to the Natissa River, where the Barcolana’s special crew boarded the Santa Maria. Sailing took them to the river mouth and into the lagoon, before continuing on foot to the Roman Forum. The deep connection between Aquileia and the sea – from pre-Roman times to the twentieth century – was narrated by archaeologists Cristiano Tiussi (Director of the Aquileia Foundation) and Angelica Gabrielli (PhD candidate, University of Verona), together with a technician from the Friuli Plain Land Reclamation Consortium, Santa Maria skipper Nico Pavan, Solaris Yachts President Federico Gambini, and tour guide Anna Sairu.
Further initiatives linked to the Foundation’s presence at Barcolana include a stand in the Barcolana Village, opening on Thursday 9 October at 18:30, and a video-mapping installation on a Solaris yacht to be displayed in Piazza Unità starting tomorrow morning.
SEAYOU@BARCOLANA - This afternoon also saw the start of a new edition of SEAYOU@BARCOLANA, bringing cultural activities, performances and tastings of local products to the Bay of Sistiana.
READY FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY WEEKEND - This coming weekend promises to be an unforgettable celebration of sport and the sea, with more than 1,500 athletes and enthusiasts taking part in Barcolana events across Friuli Venezia Giulia.
On Saturday, attention will turn to Grado, where over 180 paddlers will close the summer season with the Barcolana Grado SUP Experience. The “city of the sun” will come alive as competitors of all levels take to the water, some following a 4 km course for amateurs, others challenging themselves on the longer 7 km route, which also circles the island of Schiusa.
On Sunday, the spotlight shifts to Lignano Pineta for a spectacular showcase of Beach Sprint, the discipline that is set to make its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028. More than 200 athletes will compete along the shoreline, bringing energy and spectacle to the beach.
The Lake of the Three Municipalities will also become a hub of activity with the Barcolana Lake UP, where a hundred participants will test themselves in four different disciplines: cycling, kayaking, model sailing and speed running.
Back in Trieste, young sailors will be in action with the Barcolana Young, organised with the support of Fondazione CRTrieste and involving more than 170 athletes. And the water will once again be the stage for another record-breaking event: the Barcolana Nuota powered by Honda – Luca Giustolisi Trophy, with no fewer than 451 swimmers taking to the sea, joined by Olympic champion Gregorio Paltrinieri, ambassador of the event.
It will be a weekend in which every corner of the region, from the lakes to the beaches, from the villages to the heart of Trieste, comes together under the spirit of Barcolana – a festival of sport, inclusion and passion for the sea.
