THE LARGEST SAILING RACE IN THE WORLD
Trieste, 1 - 12 October 2025
Trieste, 1 - 12 October 2025
Barcolana - News20.01.26
Barcolana at Boot Düsseldorf: ADAC Trophy awarded to the best german crews of Barcolana57 presented by Generali
Barcolana once again confirms its strong international outlook in 2026 by taking part in boot Düsseldorf, Europe’s leading boat show and one of the most important events for sailing and nautical tourism. This year too, Barcolana is present together with Friuli Venezia Giulia Turismo and the FVG Marinas Network, partners with whom it promotes the event and the Friuli Venezia Giulia region to a wide audience of sailing enthusiasts from across Europe.
Within the framework of boot Düsseldorf, Barcolana celebrated for the first time inside the trade fair the award ceremony of the ADAC Trophy, presented to the owner of the first German boat to cross the finish line of the Coppa d’Autunno.
The ceremony took place on the Destination Seaside stage in Hall 13 and was attended by Karlheinz Jungbeck, President of ADAC Tourism, and Dean Bassi, Vice President of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, who presented the awards to the German skippers who distinguished themselves during the 57th edition of Barcolana.
“Every year Barcolana takes part in boot Düsseldorf together with the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region with a dual objective,” commented Dean Bassi, Vice President of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano. “On the one hand, to support the promotion of the region, and on the other, to tell the story of the event in its most authentic dimension. The new development of the partnership with ADAC, which includes the awards for the best German crews, represents an interesting opportunity to better understand how the regatta is experienced by those who come from afar. We thank ADAC for this initiative: together we can develop new activities dedicated to German sailors, starting with the Ticket to Sail project, which allows people to take part in Barcolana even without owning a boat, by joining organised crews on chartered yachts.”
“With the presentation of the ADAC Trophy, we wish to pay tribute to the outstanding performances of the German crews,” said Karlheinz Jungbeck, President of ADAC Tourism. “Holding the award ceremony for the first time at boot Düsseldorf underlines the importance of sailing in Germany and the value of an event such as Barcolana within the international sailing scene.”
The ceremony was also attended by FVG Marinas, which complemented the ADAC awards by offering prize berths in the marinas of Friuli Venezia Giulia to the best German crews taking part in Barcolana, further strengthening the connection between the regatta and the regional nautical network.
ADAC SPECIAL AWARD 2025 – FAIR PLAY AWARD – During the ceremony, the ADAC Fair Play Award 2025 was also presented to Dr Oliver Giebler, skipper of FIDELITY (Ultrasail UG) and winner of the ADAC Trophy 2024. During the most recent edition of the Coppa d’Autunno, Giebler interpreted the spirit of the regatta in an especially meaningful way, leading his crew of 22 people – together with the boat’s dog – to the finish line with enthusiasm, responsibility and a strong sense of sharing. The jury wished to reward his ability to combine sporting performance, leadership and the joy of sailing, highlighting team spirit and respect for the core values of sailing. Among the German boats competing, FIDELITY finished Barcolana57 presented by Generali in eighth place overall.
ADAC TROPHY 2025 – RESULTS – The ADAC Trophy 2025, awarded to the first German boat to cross the finish line at Barcolana, was won by Calabash (Elbe Regatta Club), helmed by Michael Schmidt.
Second place went to Wild at Heart (Team Sailcon, Deutscher Regatta Segelclub), with Heiko Godel at the helm, followed by Heroine (Münchner Yacht Club), sailed by Dr Klaus Wolf.
Fourth place was claimed by ANNA (Schweriner Seglerverein von 1894 e.V.), skipper Roland Schulz, while fifth place went to Ora Blue II (JoJo Wassersport), helmed by Jörg Kowollik.
The event also provided the opportunity to gather valuable feedback from Michael Schmidt, owner of the first German boat to finish Barcolana57 presented by Generali, founder of the Hanse shipyard and today head of Y Yachts. “I love Barcolana because it has a truly unique atmosphere: on shore it is a big celebration, but even more so at sea, where competition is intense yet no one takes themselves too seriously. People laugh and share everything – even a drink, if someone runs out. It’s a bit chaotic, but that’s exactly why it works so perfectly and why it’s unlike any other regatta. There is so much happiness and fun: it’s something you have to experience. Come and sail at Barcolana, it’s simply fantastic.”
Within the framework of boot Düsseldorf, Barcolana celebrated for the first time inside the trade fair the award ceremony of the ADAC Trophy, presented to the owner of the first German boat to cross the finish line of the Coppa d’Autunno.
The ceremony took place on the Destination Seaside stage in Hall 13 and was attended by Karlheinz Jungbeck, President of ADAC Tourism, and Dean Bassi, Vice President of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, who presented the awards to the German skippers who distinguished themselves during the 57th edition of Barcolana.
“Every year Barcolana takes part in boot Düsseldorf together with the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region with a dual objective,” commented Dean Bassi, Vice President of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano. “On the one hand, to support the promotion of the region, and on the other, to tell the story of the event in its most authentic dimension. The new development of the partnership with ADAC, which includes the awards for the best German crews, represents an interesting opportunity to better understand how the regatta is experienced by those who come from afar. We thank ADAC for this initiative: together we can develop new activities dedicated to German sailors, starting with the Ticket to Sail project, which allows people to take part in Barcolana even without owning a boat, by joining organised crews on chartered yachts.”
“With the presentation of the ADAC Trophy, we wish to pay tribute to the outstanding performances of the German crews,” said Karlheinz Jungbeck, President of ADAC Tourism. “Holding the award ceremony for the first time at boot Düsseldorf underlines the importance of sailing in Germany and the value of an event such as Barcolana within the international sailing scene.”
The ceremony was also attended by FVG Marinas, which complemented the ADAC awards by offering prize berths in the marinas of Friuli Venezia Giulia to the best German crews taking part in Barcolana, further strengthening the connection between the regatta and the regional nautical network.
ADAC SPECIAL AWARD 2025 – FAIR PLAY AWARD – During the ceremony, the ADAC Fair Play Award 2025 was also presented to Dr Oliver Giebler, skipper of FIDELITY (Ultrasail UG) and winner of the ADAC Trophy 2024. During the most recent edition of the Coppa d’Autunno, Giebler interpreted the spirit of the regatta in an especially meaningful way, leading his crew of 22 people – together with the boat’s dog – to the finish line with enthusiasm, responsibility and a strong sense of sharing. The jury wished to reward his ability to combine sporting performance, leadership and the joy of sailing, highlighting team spirit and respect for the core values of sailing. Among the German boats competing, FIDELITY finished Barcolana57 presented by Generali in eighth place overall.
ADAC TROPHY 2025 – RESULTS – The ADAC Trophy 2025, awarded to the first German boat to cross the finish line at Barcolana, was won by Calabash (Elbe Regatta Club), helmed by Michael Schmidt.
Second place went to Wild at Heart (Team Sailcon, Deutscher Regatta Segelclub), with Heiko Godel at the helm, followed by Heroine (Münchner Yacht Club), sailed by Dr Klaus Wolf.
Fourth place was claimed by ANNA (Schweriner Seglerverein von 1894 e.V.), skipper Roland Schulz, while fifth place went to Ora Blue II (JoJo Wassersport), helmed by Jörg Kowollik.
The event also provided the opportunity to gather valuable feedback from Michael Schmidt, owner of the first German boat to finish Barcolana57 presented by Generali, founder of the Hanse shipyard and today head of Y Yachts. “I love Barcolana because it has a truly unique atmosphere: on shore it is a big celebration, but even more so at sea, where competition is intense yet no one takes themselves too seriously. People laugh and share everything – even a drink, if someone runs out. It’s a bit chaotic, but that’s exactly why it works so perfectly and why it’s unlike any other regatta. There is so much happiness and fun: it’s something you have to experience. Come and sail at Barcolana, it’s simply fantastic.”
