by Valentina Salcedo
The 55th edition of the Barcolana, presented by Generali, officially concluded on Sunday. Fifty days after the regatta, which took place on October 8th, the crews with the best placements in various categories ascended the podium at the Politeama Rossetti in Trieste, marking an edition characterized by a large audience and minimal wind.
Mitja Gialuz, in his tenth Barcolana as President of the Barcola and Grignano Sailing Society, declared, “It has been an extraordinary edition with 1,773 participants and over 1,100 finishers despite the calm conditions. At sea, it was a tactical challenge and a great celebration, and on land, we returned to pre-Covid levels of public attendance. This is a sign of how Barcolana brings people together, becoming an increasingly inclusive and participatory event. Looking back on my tenth Barcolana as president, I believe a great job has been done. I want to thank everyone who has worked with me on this project over the years, a project that belongs to the entire city and region.”
Barcolana awarded a total of 121 prizes, celebrating the top three overall crews and in the Cruising class for each participating category. Historic trophies were also awarded, including the prize dedicated by Barcolana’s presenting partner, Generali, to the top three women skippers-responsible. The “Women in Sailing by Generali” project, gaining increasing prominence, honored Federica Tuniz (Bandito), Giovanna Micol (Strambapapà), and Giulia Leghissa (Anywave Junior) as the first, second, and third-placed, respectively. In this edition, two special mentions were also given to helmswomen Marta Benussi of ARCA SGR and Alice Linussi of Anemos II/Allianz Spa, who were the overall first and first in the Cruising category.
“The Generali – Women in Sailing Trophy was created to support female leadership in sailing and promote change toward a more inclusive and sustainable society,” stated Emma Ursich, Head of Corporate Identity at the Generali Group. “This change also involves training: the prize includes a coaching and leadership program tailored to the winner’s needs, provided by the Group’s Training School, Generali Academy.”
The awards ceremony, attended by the Assessor for Cultural and Tourism Policies of the Municipality of Trieste Giorgio Rossi, the Assessor for the Environment and Energy Fabio Scoccimarro for the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, and representatives of local authorities, was led by Fabio Colivicchi and Zita Fusco. The “Niente Band” provided musical interludes, a group that has been part of the “Pupkin Kabarett” shows at the Miela theater in Trieste for two decades.
Barcolana55 Presented by Generali – Trophy Winners:
- Fulvio Molinari Trophy – Tolomeo by Paolo Presot
- IFYR Trophy – Matrix by Claudio Perina
- ADAC Trophy – Wild At Heart by Sailcon Sports & Events
- Narc Trophy – Dara III by Vittorio Morelli
- Giovanni Sigovich Trophy – Viktor by Franco Sedmak
- City of Trieste Trophy – Società Triestina della Vela
- Port of Trieste Trophy – Mataran MK3 by Paolo Nordera
- Rosa nei Venti Trophy – Petra Kliba helmswoman of My Way
- LNI Shipowners Trophy – Brava by Francesco Pison
- CRT Foundation Trophy – ARCA SGR by Furio Benussi
- City of Monfalcone Trophy – Tullio Sain – Prosecco Doc Shockwave by Claudio Demartis and Paolo Tria
- Cliffs Trophy – Strambapapà by Giovanna Micol and Michele Paoletti
- FIV Challenge Trophy – Yes Gunho by Hanul Kim (Korea)
- Last Trophy – Mistral by Paolo Milos
- Generali “Women in Sailing” Trophy – First Federica Tuniz (Bandito), second Giovanna Micol (Strambapapà), third Giulia Leghissa (Anywave Junior). Special mentions to Marta Benussi (ARCA SGR) and Alice Linussi (Anemos II/Allianz Spa)
- Barcolana Trophy – ARCA SGR by Furio Benussi
