The Nastro Rosa Tour fleet gathers together for a thrilling finish in Vieste.
A regatta, dominated by unpredictable weather, showcased the significance of tactics and mental fortitude, culminating in a nail-biting final meter. The offshore leg from Cattolica to Vieste, the second act of the prestigious Giro d’Italia Vela 2026—the crown jewel of the Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour circuit—delivered a finale worthy of the most thrilling sports dramas, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the break of dawn.
A calm channel for the Figaro 3
The approximately 180 nautical miles separating Romagna from Gargano proved to be a veritable trap for the ten competing crews. The Aeolus was far from generous, forcing the sailors aboard the high-performance Bénéteau Figaro 3 one-design boats into a constant and exhausting search for light air. Despite the adverse weather conditions and the slowed pace of the calm, the athletes never gave up, turning the sailing into a tense war of nerves and constant changes of trim.
Night flight: the Italian Air Force signs the feat
The timing verdict arrived in the dead of night. At 4:20 AM, the Italian Air Force duo, expertly led by Giancarlo Simeoli and Niccolò Bertola, planted the flag of victory at the finish line in Puglia. The real news, however, lies in the mere millimeter gap that marked the entire fleet’s arrival. In just twenty-three minutes, all ten boats completed the Adriatic transatlantic flight, with the last vessel crossing the line at 4:43 AM. Such a close finish after so many miles is a clear testament to the extremely high and consistent technical level of this edition’s participants.
On the podium, just behind the winners, were Angelica Monti and Carlo Barbieri, representing CN Sanbenettese, who earned a splendid silver medal. Rounding out the top three were Kups and Koczorowski of Poland, who, with Team Poland, snatched a valuable third place.
From long distances to coastal acrobatics
With the offshore effort behind them, the spotlight immediately shifted to the spectacular InShore races. The natural stage of Vieste saw the flying boats take to the water, with the Waszp and WingFoil specialists ready to battle it out just off the coast. The athletes took up positions on the race course by mid-morning, around 11:10. Once again, the wind initially proved timid and light, forcing organizers and racers to cross their fingers in the hope of a thermal boost that would allow the boards and dinghies to lift on their foils and put on their usual high-speed show.
The party continues on land: the Sailing Village opens
While the sea battles for every knot of speed, the mainland has already begun welcoming tourists and curious onlookers. The port of Vieste has been transformed into the beating heart of the event with the creation of the Sailing Village. The area is not only a logistical hub for the teams, but also a genuine gathering space open to the public. Throughout the leg, the village promises to liven up the evenings on the Gargano with a packed program, ranging from live shows and DJ sets for the younger crowds, to open-air film screenings and meetings with the protagonists of the sea.