by InTrieste
This October, the world’s largest sailing regatta, Barcolana, returns to Trieste for its 56th edition, bringing together over 2,000 sailboats and expanding its reach beyond the sea. The festival, running from October 4 to 13, aims to showcase the unique landscapes of Friuli Venezia Giulia by blending maritime tradition with new events highlighting the region’s mountains, culture, and food.
New to this year’s festival is Barcolana Ski, an alpine skiing event that underscores the region’s geographical versatility. Former world skiing champions, including Elisabeth Goergl and Ivica Kostelic, will lead amateur teams in a slalom race on October 12, held just minutes from Trieste’s coastline. Later, the skiing legends will sail across the Gulf of Trieste aboard the Solaris 60, a luxury yacht representing the region’s shipbuilding industry.
At the festival’s heart, Piazza Unità d’Italia will host the “Io sono Friuli Venezia Giulia” lounge, offering visitors a taste of the region’s wines and local cuisine, as well as panoramic views of the regatta. The Solaris 60, docked nearby, will compete in the main race on October 13, crewed by members of Italy’s National Aerobatic Patrol and regional sailor Giulia Pignolo.
With additional events along the Friuli Venezia Giulia coast in Grado and Lignano Sabbiadoro, Barcolana 2024 aims to celebrate the diversity of a region where the sea and mountains are just a short distance apart.
