The press conference today officially kicked off online registrations on www.barcolana.it. Many novelties were presented, including a cap on entries set to 2,700 boats – for this year.
Here’s what Mr Gialuz had to say: “I don’t know whether entries will be 2000 or 3000 this year, after the record we broke last year. What I do know is that, after years of sharp growth, we need to work on quality and set a limit on the number of participating boats. This decision, which regards this year’s edition, was taken on the recommendation of the Port Authority to ensure efficient organization and allow to ‘absorb’ the large number of participants in 2017 and 2018. In two years only, entries increased by 931 boats, from 1,758 to 2,689, and approximately 5 thousand more people populated the sea. We want everyone to have fun and enjoy the event when they reach our city, when they moor their yachts and when they race, right until the moment they sail back to their own ports. Setting a cap does not mean limiting the event, but working step by step, offering orderly organization, guaranteeing safety and ensuring efficient space management. We no longer aim to break the record, but it is important for ship owners to know right from the start that we are ready to welcome 2,700 boats and their crews. Registrations will work on a first-come, first- served basis. This year’s edition will focus on participants’ satisfaction and fun on land and at sea, it will pivot on
event sustainability in the Gulf and we will endeavour to achieve efficient management of moorings and investments and we will work with local institutions for greater involvement”.
 

The record has been certified by the Guinness World Record.

Barcolana50 has generated an economic return for Trieste of 71.5 million euros, revealed the Yacht Club Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano (SVBG) today at a conference open to all citizens. The economic impact study was carried out by prof. Guido Guerzoni of Bocconi University and partner of B2G Consulting to measure the value of the event’s impact on the city’s economy, employment, tax and promotional benefits. The research quantified the revenue produced by the 50th edition of the event for the city of Trieste and the region Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) in October 2018.

Spirit of Portopiccolo wins Barcolana50 after completing the race in only 57.04 minutes. Second: Ottica Inn, third: Way of Life.

Wärtsilä presents the sea bin, a device used to clean up and collect floating refuse and in particular plastic, from the backwash area of marinas: To date Wärtilä have donated several sea bins to strategic ports around the world as they do their bit to counteract pollution in our seas.