THE LARGEST SAILING RACE IN THE WORLD
Trieste, 2 - 11 October 2026
Trieste, 2 - 11 October 2026
Barcolana - News10.10.26
Barcolana58 presented by Generali, 1858 boats ready to take to the water
Everything is ready for Barcolana58 presented by Generali. Trieste is enjoying the eve of the Autumn Cup, with the final crews arriving in the city and large crowds filling the Barcolana Village, the waterfront and the city centre. Registration closed at 19:00 at Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, with 1,858 boats entered for tomorrow’s great race, Sunday 11 October, in the Gulf of Trieste.
From the waterfront and Piazza Unità d’Italia to Borgo Cavana and Borgo Teresiano, the Village and the yachts moored in the San Giusto Basin, spectators have been following the final preparations ahead of tomorrow’s race.
Among the highlights of the day was Barcolana Women in Sailing by Generali, which brought mixed crews onto the water aboard Seascape 18 one-design yachts. Originally scheduled for Friday and postponed until today because of adverse weather conditions, the race took place in very light winds of between 2.3 and 3.2 knots, allowing just one race to be completed. Michela Stefani took victory ahead of Jamila Cerdeira and Ivica Kostelić. The event once again highlighted the project developed by Barcolana and Generali to promote mixed-gender sailing and encourage women to take on leadership roles.
“We are closing registration for Barcolana58 presented by Generali this evening with 1,858 boats, an extraordinary number and very close to last year’s figure,” commented Mitja Gialuz, President of Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano. “At a time when participation in sailing regattas is generally declining, Barcolana continues to be a benchmark and the largest sailing regatta in the world. We are extremely pleased with this result, which has been made possible by the support of all our partners, volunteers and the 1,250 people involved in organising and delivering the event. Being at the helm of this extraordinary organisation is an honour, a responsibility and a great pleasure, particularly because Barcolana is not simply growing, but continuing to mature. Tomorrow, we are looking forward to a day when everyone can enjoy sailing, with safety always coming first. It will be an opportunity to experience the true spirit of Barcolana: the friendly competition between neighbouring boats, participation and the pleasure of coming together on the water.”
VESPUCCI TOUR – Tomorrow, Sunday 11 October, Villaggio IN Italia, set up at Molo dei Bersaglieri for the final stop of the Vespucci World Tour – North America Campaign 2026, will host two events promoted by the Minister for Disabilities.
At 10:00, the Village Conference Hall will host the conference “Talents and Skills in Sport and Projects Promoted by the Minister for Disabilities”, dedicated to the VELANDO project. This will be the second meeting focusing on the project, following the event held on Friday 9 October. At 11:30, the event “Sport and Disability” will take place with the Minister for Disabilities, Alessandra Locatelli.
Throughout the ship’s stay in Trieste, the Minister has also organised visits aboard the Amerigo Vespucci specifically for people with disabilities, enabling everyone to experience the excitement of visiting the “most beautiful ship in the world”.
WENDY SCHMIDT – Wendy Schmidt has arrived in Trieste and visited the Barcolana Village, from the immersive installation The Ocean in Me to the Deep Blue Exploration Zone, where she also met a small group of UWC students. The students had the opportunity to present and discuss projects developed as part of the Ocean Research Challenge, an initiative that engages young people in developing practical solutions to challenges facing the ocean and marine ecosystems. During her visit, Schmidt expressed her enthusiasm for the event, highlighting the importance of the connection between the sea, scientific research and younger generations.
“Barcolana is one of the most beautiful events in the world and offers an extraordinary opportunity to celebrate sailing and the deep connection we share with the ocean. Through the work of Schmidt Ocean Institute and Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, we want to bring people closer to the ocean and help them understand just how much our lives depend on it, as well as how important it is to feel responsible for its health.
“Investing in younger generations means investing in the future. That is why we are committed to engaging young people, offering them opportunities to learn, participate and share their love for our planet and the sea with their peers. We hope that immersive experiences such as The Ocean in Me and the Deep Blue Exploration Zone can help change the way people see the world and understand their relationship with the ocean.
“Barcolana is also an opportunity to experience the sea first-hand. Tomorrow, I will be taking part in the race aboard a Melges 24, as I did last year. It is a smaller boat, and I am delighted to be sailing among the fleet again. As for Deep Blue, we will see whether we return with the same boat or a different one, but I intend to continue taking part in Barcolana.”
The appointment for everyone is tomorrow at 10:30, when the traditional starting cannon will signal the beginning of Barcolana58 presented by Generali.
Meanwhile, today was marked by very light winds, which prevented the Barcolana Classic – Trofeo SIAD race from taking place following the traditional parade in the San Giusto Basin, and also prevented the Este24 European title from being awarded. The inaugural Go To Barcolana From Croatia concluded with victory for SPGROUP – Extreme Sailing Team, while the programme of feeder races leading up to the Autumn Cup continued. This evening, the Barcolana Regionale By Night Cup will take place in the San Giusto Basin.
From the waterfront and Piazza Unità d’Italia to Borgo Cavana and Borgo Teresiano, the Village and the yachts moored in the San Giusto Basin, spectators have been following the final preparations ahead of tomorrow’s race.
Among the highlights of the day was Barcolana Women in Sailing by Generali, which brought mixed crews onto the water aboard Seascape 18 one-design yachts. Originally scheduled for Friday and postponed until today because of adverse weather conditions, the race took place in very light winds of between 2.3 and 3.2 knots, allowing just one race to be completed. Michela Stefani took victory ahead of Jamila Cerdeira and Ivica Kostelić. The event once again highlighted the project developed by Barcolana and Generali to promote mixed-gender sailing and encourage women to take on leadership roles.
“We are closing registration for Barcolana58 presented by Generali this evening with 1,858 boats, an extraordinary number and very close to last year’s figure,” commented Mitja Gialuz, President of Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano. “At a time when participation in sailing regattas is generally declining, Barcolana continues to be a benchmark and the largest sailing regatta in the world. We are extremely pleased with this result, which has been made possible by the support of all our partners, volunteers and the 1,250 people involved in organising and delivering the event. Being at the helm of this extraordinary organisation is an honour, a responsibility and a great pleasure, particularly because Barcolana is not simply growing, but continuing to mature. Tomorrow, we are looking forward to a day when everyone can enjoy sailing, with safety always coming first. It will be an opportunity to experience the true spirit of Barcolana: the friendly competition between neighbouring boats, participation and the pleasure of coming together on the water.”
VESPUCCI TOUR – Tomorrow, Sunday 11 October, Villaggio IN Italia, set up at Molo dei Bersaglieri for the final stop of the Vespucci World Tour – North America Campaign 2026, will host two events promoted by the Minister for Disabilities.
At 10:00, the Village Conference Hall will host the conference “Talents and Skills in Sport and Projects Promoted by the Minister for Disabilities”, dedicated to the VELANDO project. This will be the second meeting focusing on the project, following the event held on Friday 9 October. At 11:30, the event “Sport and Disability” will take place with the Minister for Disabilities, Alessandra Locatelli.
Throughout the ship’s stay in Trieste, the Minister has also organised visits aboard the Amerigo Vespucci specifically for people with disabilities, enabling everyone to experience the excitement of visiting the “most beautiful ship in the world”.
WENDY SCHMIDT – Wendy Schmidt has arrived in Trieste and visited the Barcolana Village, from the immersive installation The Ocean in Me to the Deep Blue Exploration Zone, where she also met a small group of UWC students. The students had the opportunity to present and discuss projects developed as part of the Ocean Research Challenge, an initiative that engages young people in developing practical solutions to challenges facing the ocean and marine ecosystems. During her visit, Schmidt expressed her enthusiasm for the event, highlighting the importance of the connection between the sea, scientific research and younger generations.
“Barcolana is one of the most beautiful events in the world and offers an extraordinary opportunity to celebrate sailing and the deep connection we share with the ocean. Through the work of Schmidt Ocean Institute and Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, we want to bring people closer to the ocean and help them understand just how much our lives depend on it, as well as how important it is to feel responsible for its health.
“Investing in younger generations means investing in the future. That is why we are committed to engaging young people, offering them opportunities to learn, participate and share their love for our planet and the sea with their peers. We hope that immersive experiences such as The Ocean in Me and the Deep Blue Exploration Zone can help change the way people see the world and understand their relationship with the ocean.
“Barcolana is also an opportunity to experience the sea first-hand. Tomorrow, I will be taking part in the race aboard a Melges 24, as I did last year. It is a smaller boat, and I am delighted to be sailing among the fleet again. As for Deep Blue, we will see whether we return with the same boat or a different one, but I intend to continue taking part in Barcolana.”
The appointment for everyone is tomorrow at 10:30, when the traditional starting cannon will signal the beginning of Barcolana58 presented by Generali.
Meanwhile, today was marked by very light winds, which prevented the Barcolana Classic – Trofeo SIAD race from taking place following the traditional parade in the San Giusto Basin, and also prevented the Este24 European title from being awarded. The inaugural Go To Barcolana From Croatia concluded with victory for SPGROUP – Extreme Sailing Team, while the programme of feeder races leading up to the Autumn Cup continued. This evening, the Barcolana Regionale By Night Cup will take place in the San Giusto Basin.
