Barcolana58 presented by Generali: registration now open

The highly anticipated return of Nave Vespucci, the new slogan “Be Barcolana”, the mascot “Lelio”, the new colours of the official polo shirt, an events calendar featuring both established favourites and exciting new additions, and the further expansion of the Village through the extension of last year’s “Borgo Cavana” concept into the Borgo Teresiano district: registrations officially opened today for the 58th edition of Barcolana Presented by Generali, an event conceived as a true “hymn to joy”, born from sport and inspired by the sea, engaging the whole Friuli Venezia Giulia region.

Ahead of the 58th edition, Barcolana today “launched” a new way of telling its story, aimed at strengthening its identity through the community that represents it: an invitation to be there and to “Be Barcolana” — to stand on the side of the sea, to become protagonists of the event through one’s own story and experience, and to come to Friuli Venezia Giulia not only to take part in the event, but also to share its values.

“Starting today,” explained the President of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, Mitja Gialuz, “our journey under the banner of ‘Be Barcolana’ begins. ‘Being Barcolana’ brings together many values and becomes a way of telling stories and spending time together: it means participating, developing projects and living in harmony with the sea. It is a journey we will reveal day by day, leading us all the way to the 60th edition: Barcolana is rediscovering itself as an open and inclusive community drawing its strength from sport and the sea.”

The 58th edition confirms the partnership with Generali, presenting partner of the event and actively engaged in projects promoting wellbeing not only for individuals, but for communities as a whole.

Emma Ursich, Head of Corporate Identity at Generali Group, stated: “Generali is delighted to share its commitment to sport, an essential activity for people’s wellbeing, both professionally and recreationally. With the Women in Sailing project, launched at Barcolana in 2021, and the ‘Trofeo Generali Women in Sailing’, we have seen growing awareness around mixed sailing, an achievement made possible through the collaboration and work of the key players involved: athletes, yacht clubs, federations and sailing schools. Our goal, demonstrated by more than forty years of support for Barcolana, is to have a positive and tangible impact on communities, and Barcolana, with its growing sporting, economic and cultural significance, is a model of this.”

“Barcolana,” President Gialuz added, “draws its strength from the teamwork of more than a thousand people, institutions and partners. We thank all of them, because ‘Being Barcolana’ means first and foremost sharing values and objectives. We all do this with the spirit of those who want to succeed both at sea and ashore, showcasing our region at its very best and making it the true protagonist.”

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN – The traditional SVBG bell officially marked the opening of registration for the Barcolana58 Presented by Generali Autumn Cup. Registration opens today and closes on Saturday 10 October, with entries available online at www.barcolana.it.

Linked to registration, the “Enter Barcolana Competition” returns in partnership with Automotive Partner Honda. This year, two prizes are up for grabs for those entering the regatta: a Honda WN7 YM2026 for the first name drawn and a Honda SH125 Vetro scooter for the second. The early booking formula also returns: anyone completing registration by 31 July will once again double their chances of winning, as their race number will be entered twice into the draws taking place on Sunday 11 October.

EVENT CALENDAR – Barcolana58 Presented by Generali confirms an increasingly rich and widespread calendar, designed to involve different sports disciplines, territories and audiences. Fan favourites return, including Barcolana Nuota powered by Honda – Trofeo Luca Giustolisi, Barcolana per il Sociale, Barcolana by Night, Barcolana Classic Trofeo SIAD, Barcolana Maxi Trofeo Portopiccolo, Barcolana Solaris Adriatic Cup and Go To Barcolana da Ravenna – Trofeo Gruppo Hera.

Events dedicated to emerging sports and new sporting communities are also confirmed, including Barcolana FUN Extended Version, Barcolana Lake Up in Cavazzo Carnico dedicated to model sailing, and the Cavana Run Club Barcolana Edition.

Among the new features of the 58th edition is Barcolana Cammina, organised in partnership with Fondazione Aquileia: an event dedicated to discovering the deep connection between the city and water, through walks along ancient and modern waterways, children’s routes, cycling tours and lagoon navigation experiences telling the story of Aquileia’s relationship with water from pre-Roman times to the present day. An invitation to slow down and experience the territory through nature, culture and history.

The calendar also welcomes the 53^rd Italian Meteor Championship, scheduled from 5 to 9 October, and the arrival of the “Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Il Veloce”, the Mediterranean’s longest regatta organised by Difesa Servizi in collaboration with the Italian Navy and SSI Sport & Events, while Barcolana Young for the Optimist class once again becomes a stage of the Optimist Italia Kinder Joy of Moving Trophy.

Together with partner PromoTurismoFVG and under the “Io Sono Friuli Venezia Giulia” brand, the event will once again promote the 2026–2027 regional ski season by organising the second edition of Barcolana SKI, the project conceived by PromoTurismoFVG and launched in 2024 to symbolically unite sailing and skiing. The 2026 edition expands into two separate moments, introducing an important new development. It will begin on Saturday 10 October in Aurisina, on the artificial slope at the Neve Sole sports facility — a federal winter sports training centre and a unique venue in Italy where skiing is possible all year round — with a promotional race involving eight young athletes and two special guest ambassadors, followed by an awards ceremony in Piazza Unità. The same ambassadors will also take part in the second major event: on Saturday 9 January 2027 in Tarvisio, on the Di Prampero slope, the debut of an evening giant slalom single-run race reserved for sailors competing in Barcolana 2026, selected among the winners of the 14 Barcolana categories and the related Fun, SUP and Nuota side events, alongside institutional guests and VIPs.

The Region will also be present in Piazza Unità d’Italia with the “Io Sono Friuli Venezia Giulia” stand, a space dedicated to events, merchandising, hospitality and public tastings.

THE VILLAGE: BARCOLANA EXPANDS ACROSS THE CITY – Following the great success of the first edition of Borgo Cavana, which transformed the area behind Trieste’s waterfront into a lively maritime district, Barcolana58 will this year expand its “diffused village” concept to include the Borgo Teresiano area.

The organisers’ goal is to bring Barcolana beyond the waterfront and into the city itself, transforming Trieste into a large shared space dedicated to the sea, culture, conviviality and connection. Streets, squares, shops, temporary stores, installations and events will create continuity between the Barcolana Village and the urban fabric of the city, enhancing Trieste’s maritime and cultural identity.

Borgo Teresiano, with the Ponterosso area directly integrated into the event, represents a new element of growth and identity, highlighting the “ancient port” at the heart of the eighteenth-century trading city. Along the waterfront and in Piazza Unità, visitors will discover a renewed layout organised into thematic areas with increasingly refined installations.

THE “LELIO” MASCOT – One of today’s biggest surprises was the unveiling of Barcolana’s new protagonist: “Lelio”, the official mascot of the event. To represent the world’s largest sailing race, organisers chose a beautiful Labrador created by Trudi and dressed in the Barcolana polo shirt.

The dog, naturally fond of the sea, is already hugely popular: a giant version will appear at all official occasions wearing the regatta polo shirt, while plush and keyring versions will be on sale at the Barcolana Gift Shop from 3 October in Piazza Unità. The keyring version will also be included — alongside the polo shirt and several other gadgets — in the official race bag gifted to yacht owners.

The mascot’s name is a tribute to Lelio Luttazzi and a joyful, affectionate reference to his famous song “El can del Trieste”.

THE MURPHY&NYE® COLLECTION – The partnership with Murphy&Nye, Official Clothing Partner of the event, is confirmed for this edition.

The new Murphy&Nye® x Barcolana58 capsule collection is inspired by the colours Blue Mirage and Istrian Stone White, the colours of the official polo shirt. The line also includes T-shirts, sweatshirts, lifestyle technical jackets and accessories designed to accompany sailors and sea lovers alike between sea and city.

Among the standout pieces are the contemporary reinterpretation of the iconic “Polo Plenty” and the new Barcolana Bag. The full Murphy&Nye® x Barcolana58 collection will be available online and in selected Murphy&Nye® stores and partner retailers across the region — Ambassador, Ausonia, Calzavara, Sail Sistiana and Porto San Rocco — as well as the Murphy&Nye® stores in Cortina and Scalo Milano, and the Barcolana Gift Shop during the event.

Distribution of complimentary items for yacht owners will be managed by Ambassador and Porto San Rocco, while during Barcolana the official polo shirts may also be collected from the Barcolana Gift Shop in Piazza Unità d’Italia and Murphy&Nye retail points. The polo shirts are already on sale and available for yacht owners.

TICKET TO RACE AND BARCOLANA EXPERIENCE – With the opening of registration comes the new edition of “Ticket To Race”, the international format allowing sailors to take part in Barcolana as individual crew members even without a boat or crew.

Participants are assigned by the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano to competitive crews coordinated by experienced skippers, following a training and technical assessment day held on the eve of the regatta. The programme includes yachts from 44 to 50 feet moored in the heart of the Barcolana Village.

The first Barcolana Experience packages dedicated to tourism incoming will also be available from Monday 1 June on the official website www.barcolana.it. Confirmed experiences include the Barcolana Sandro Chersi Sailing Academy Regatta Course, allowing participants to train at sea with FIV instructors and actively compete in the Autumn Cup, alongside experiences aboard motor vessels and authorised RIBs entering the racecourse, offering spectators the chance to follow the regatta from the centre of the action and fully experience the excitement of the celebration at sea.

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT – The “Submit Your Event” call also opened today, allowing associations and organisations across the territory to propose their own events for inclusion in the official programme through cultural, sporting and educational initiatives aligned with the Barcolana concept.