Barcolana58 presented by Generali: registration opens for Go to Barcolana from Slovenia

The 2026 edition of Go to Barcolana from Slovenia was presented today in Koper. The sailing event will take crews from Portorož to the Gulf of Trieste on Saturday 10 October, on the eve of the great Barcolana58 presented by Generali regatta. Registration for the event officially opens today.

Go to Barcolana from Slovenia offers a flotilla crossing from the Slovenian coast to Trieste, combining friendly competition with the pleasure of sailing together. Now a well-established fixture in the programme leading up to the Autumn Cup, the event attracts a growing number of Slovenian sailors and, through the participation of its crews, embodies the spirit of Be Barcolana, the concept underpinning the 2026 edition.

“Go to Barcolana from Slovenia is an event that is particularly close to our hearts and that every year brings a growing number of Slovenian sailors into the Barcolana programme,” said Mitja Gialuz, President of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano. “The participation we want to convey through Be Barcolana also stems from our ability to create opportunities where crews can feel fully part of the event. The collaboration between the sailing clubs that organise this event, together with the response from sailors, has made it a well-established fixture over the years, and one that we want to continue to grow.”

The event is organised by the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, in collaboration with TPK – CNT Sirena, Jadralni Klub Pirat Portorož and ZSŠDI, the Union of Slovenian Sports Associations in Italy, with the support of the Slovenian Tourist Board through the I Feel Slovenia brand.

“Over the years, Go to Barcolana from Slovenia has found a very interesting balance between competition and participation,” commented Dean Bassi, Vice-President of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano. “The start from Portorož, sailing together as a flotilla and a course accessible to different types of boats allow many crews to compete at sea on the eve of the Autumn Cup. It is a format that retains the spirit of a sailing event while also having a clear sporting dimension, and it is precisely this combination that represents one of its strengths.”

The start is scheduled for 11.00 am on Saturday 10 October from the Gulf of Portorož. From there, the boats will head towards Trieste along the stretch of sea connecting the Slovenian coast with the Gulf, with an intermediate gate near Punta Grossa and the finish in the waters off the old breakwater of the Port of Trieste.

The intermediate gate will also count towards the classification if wind conditions prevent all boats from completing the course within the time limit: crews that have passed Punta Grossa will be ranked according to their order of passage. 

“Go to Barcolana from Slovenia is the result of a shared organisational effort that every year brings crews to the starting line in Portorož, ready to sail together towards Trieste,” said Igor Filipčič, President of TPK – CNT Sirena. “It is a sailing event that has successfully established itself while retaining a simple and inclusive format, and it is now a recognisable fixture in the programme leading up to the Autumn Cup. Our aim is to continue growing the event and involve an increasing number of sailors.”

“Go to Barcolana from Slovenia is much more than simply a route to Trieste: it is a true celebration of friendship, beautifully bringing together our club and the sailing community of the Gulf of Trieste,” said Mitja Margon, President of Jadralni Klub Pirat Portorož. “We are proud to see the fleet growing year after year, confirming that sailing has the power to bring people together and strengthen connections on both sides of the border. After all, sailing always teaches us the most important lesson: achieving great results is not about the individual; it takes a close-knit, united team sailing as one. It is in this spirit that we say once again: Go to Barcolana from Slovenia!”

“Go to Barcolana from Slovenia has become a highly popular event that will further enrich the 2026 edition of Barcolana,” commented Aljoša Ota, Head of the Slovenian Tourist Board in Milan, one of the event partners. “Every year, an increasing number of Slovenian and Italian sailors take part, demonstrating the strong interest in this sporting event. The Slovenian Tourist Board has been the main partner for several consecutive years. Interest in Barcolana among Slovenian tourism operators continues to grow, as every year the event attracts large numbers of visitors and tourists from different countries to Trieste.”

The day will conclude in Trieste with the awards ceremony in the Victor de Sabata Hall at the Ridotto of Teatro Verdi. The winner of each category will receive an award, while the overall winner will be presented with the Go To Barcolana From Slovenia Challenge Trophy. During the awards ceremony, boat owners will also receive the event bag.

Registration is free of charge and can be completed online via the official Barcolana website. Go to Barcolana from Slovenia is open to boats that meet the requirements set out in the Autumn Cup – Barcolana58 Notice of Race and that are already registered for the main regatta on Sunday 11 October. Proof of registration for the Autumn Cup must be attached in order to complete registration for the sailing event.