Following the success of 2024, the Barcolana Dragon Boat University Challenge returned this year, organised by CUS Trieste in collaboration with the University of Trieste, CUS Venezia, the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, and with the support of the Regional Council of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Dragon-headed boats raced in San Giusto Basin, crewed by university teams from CUS Trieste, CUS Bari, CUS Venezia, and CUS Udine, with Friulian students joining the two Venetian crews (CUS Venezia Ca’ Foscari and CUS Venezia Iuav).
The traditional Eye Dotting Ceremony – a Chinese ritual wishing good fortune to the boats – opened the competition. The four teams, each made up of 16 athletes, then competed over a 150-metre course adjacent to Molo Audace.
CUS Trieste claimed victory on home waters after a flawless qualifying round with three consecutive wins, defeating CUS Bari again in the grand final. CUS Venezia Ca’ Foscari took third place, beating CUS Venezia Iuav in the all-Venetian playoff.
The final standings saw CUS Trieste (1st), CUS Bari (2nd), CUS Venezia Ca’ Foscari (3rd), and CUS Venezia Iuav (4th).
“The university plays a fundamental role in shaping young people – not only culturally but also in their personal and moral development,” said Mitja Gialuz, President of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano. “Today, sport is recognised by the Constitution as an essential educational tool, and I believe universities, through their sports centres, must increasingly promote sporting activity as an integral part of academic life. The Dragon Boat University Challenge is a perfect example of this: it unites the academic world with the spirit of the sea and teamwork, celebrating the energy, cooperation, and inclusion that define Barcolana. The Dragon Boats, with their symbolic power and collective rhythm, perfectly represent what we want to celebrate – the ability to row together, to share both effort and success, and to transform sport into a true community experience.”