During the first weekend of the Barcolana, Trieste saw the big celebrations of the Barcolana Young, won by Alberto Avanzini (Juniores) and Nicolò Santoro (Cadetti), an epic edition of the Barcolana Nuota involving 240 open-water swimming lovers, including the Defence Paralympic Sports Group, and won by Marco Urbani, the celebrations in Piazza Unità and the opening of part of the Villaggio Barcolana, and the enthusiasm of the young Stardust House influencers, who have covered the opening of the event and have been surrounded by hundreds of young fans for two days. While waiting for the world’s largest regatta that is taking place on Sunday 9 October, Trieste has turned once again into the international capital of sailing and is getting ready for the first edition of the Barcolana Maxi Portopiccolo Cup, which is kicking off tomorrow with the practice race opening the challenge between the current holder, Furio Benussi’s Arca SGR, and the challengers, including the American boat Deep Blue; they will first compete in ORC compensated time until Thursday, and then in real time next Sunday. The opening ceremony of the Maxi regatta and the practice race will take place tomorrow in Portopiccolo. Meanwhile, celebrations have begun on the city’s waterfront, a long marathon involving 170 events and activities on land, including conferences, concerts, and exhibitions.
BARCOLANA YOUNG – After races were held with Libeccio up to 13 knots and steady waves on the first day, today’s regattas were again characterised by winds from the south. In addition to the three races held on Saturday, three races took place today.
The winner for the Juniores is Alberto Avanzini.
For the Piccoli Cadetti the winner is Nicolò Santoro.
BARCOLANA NUOTA (BARCOLANA SWIMS) – Barcolana Nuota (Barcolana Swims), the open-water swimming competition organised by the Barcolana and Triestina Nuoto (Trieste’s Swimming Club), now in its 7th edition, set a new course for its 240 participants starting and finishing in Molo IV, with a spectacular turn in front of the Scala Reale. Marco Urbani ranked first with a time of 12 minutes 27 seconds. The first female ranked athlete was Sara Rummolo of Pallanuoto Trieste (Trieste’s Water Polo Club), who ranked eleventh at 4.5 km/h in 13 minutes 14 seconds.
240 open-water swimmers took over the Bacino San Giusto simultaneously, putting on a great show. Just like every year, the event has embraced the spirit of the Barcolana, with great athletes and competitive swimmers competing against open-water swimming enthusiasts.
The event also welcomed a delegation from the Defence Paralympic Sports Group, military athletes with disabilities resulting from having suffered trauma while in service. They were led by former Commander of Trieste’s Port Authority, Rear Admiral Luca Sancilio, now Chief Deputy of the Fifth Division of the Defence General Staff. Among the participants, along with Commander Sancilio, were Colonel Roberto Como, gold medal of military valour, Jacopo Maria Curzi, Raffaele Di Luca, Massimiliano Riccio, Michele Ricciardi, Giuseppe Spatola, and Adriano Vena.
TO AQUILEIA BY SUP: THE RALLY TO DISCOVER ANCIENT SAILING – On Saturday, the Barcolana opened a new “waterway”, organising a SUP rally in the Grado Lagoon headed to Aquileia, and more specifically to the ancient Roman inland port, for all lovers of the discipline. The initiative, realised with the support of Grado’s Naval League and in partnership with Fondazione Aquileia, was aimed at promoting the archaeological site as a destination for sea tourism. Taking inspiration from tourist activities organised along the Seine in Paris and the River Thames in London, the Barcolana organised this rally for tourists to discover ancient sailing. After mooring their boats in Grado, a group of enthusiasts inflated their SUPs in the small port, explored the lagoon up to the canals leading to the port of Aquileia, reached the archaeological site and visited the ‘sea-themed’ remains, such as the wonderful mosaics of the basilica and the inland port. This is an original way to spend the day surrounded by culture and the sea, just like it happens in great capital cities crossed by a river or a lagoon, where SUPs have become a new way to experience slow tourism.
