by InTrieste
The 56th edition of Barcolana, the world’s largest sailing regatta, concluded this October in the Adriatic Sea, marking significant milestones in sustainability, attendance, and global visibility. Organizers reported a 3.87% increase in attendance over the final four days compared to the previous year and a 9.22% reduction in the event’s carbon footprint.
At the helm of this ambitious event is Mitja Gialuz, President of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, who reflected on Barcolana’s growing influence. “We are very satisfied with this edition,” Gialuz said. “Barcolana is becoming increasingly relevant and visible, thanks to our development strategies. Expanding the event to the entire region and creating a Sea Festival have made Barcolana not just a regatta, but a cultural celebration.”
Barcolana56, presented by Generali, attracted over 400,000 attendees from October 10-13, with a total of 464,000 visitors to the regatta area during the ten-day event. On Sunday, October 13, more than 2,500 boats participated, representing 20 countries. The majority of foreign participants hailed from Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Croatia, and Switzerland. Italian sailors dominated the event, with 35% of participants from Trieste and 15% from the surrounding Friuli Venezia Giulia region.
