Barcolana 56 (whose motto this year will be “Positive Energies”) is organized as usual by SVBG-Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano (the Sailing Club of Barcola and Grignano) and presenting partner Generali, which has reinforced its presence “on board” for this edition, especially by focusing on further developing the project “Women in Sailing by Generali”.
Plus the race for aspiring sailor, “Barcolana Young”, the traditional swimming competition in the waters of Trieste “Barcolana Nuota” and the “Go to Barcolana” regattas from Ravenna and from Slovenia, leading up to the main regatta. «By bringing to the sea more than 1,000 athletes of different disciplines all around the region, we have achieved an extraordinary result thanks to a winning strategy we have been following over the years and which has been supported by PromoturismoFVG. There will be many water sports playing a central role in the Barcolana – said SVBG President Mitja Gialuz – because the Barcolana is turning more and more into a festival of the sea, which succeeds in bringing together fans of many disciplines who are united by a passion for the sea».

The first weekend
The Barcolana is kicking off with the traditional flag-hoisting ceremony taking place at the headquarters of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano on Friday, 4 October. The main on land event of the weekend will be the free concert of legendary Italian pop-rock band Subsonica on Saturday, October 5 at piazza Ponterosso in Trieste (7pm).
Not to mention the sea events: the Barcolana Grado SUP Experience in Grado, the Barcolana Beach Sprint in Lignano, the Barcolana Fun across the Northern Adriatic Sea, from Savudrija to Lignano. Plus the Barcolana Young, featuring the young sailors competing in the Optimist class and the Barcolana Nuota (Barcolana Swims), now at its 10thedition, with more than 350 open-water swimmers, and a competition for water polo enthusiasts taking place in front of Piazza Unità.
Events at sea
The week leading up to the world's largest regatta will first feature Parasailing (from 7 to 10 October) for people with disabilities, thus reaffirming inclusion as one of Barcolana's main focuses. The Barcolana Maxi – Trofeo Portopiccolo (from 9 to 11 October) and the Barcolana Solaris Adriatic Cup (10 and 11 October) will follow, dedicated respectively to boats more than 16 meters long and to Solaris Yatchs boats, a shipyard made in Friuli-Venezia Giulia which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
The Gulf of Trieste will also host the Barcolana FIV Foil Academy, dedicated to fans of disciplines such as wing foiling, kitesurfing, windsurf foiling and moth sailing, and will welcome vintage boats competing in the Barcolana Classic – Trofeo SIAD (12 October) and One Design boats taking part in various competitions. It will then host the Trieste24 – Trofeo GHC Sanatorio Triestino, the Barcolana By Night Snam Cup (taking place on the eve of the Barcolana right in front of Piazza Unità), and the Barcolana Sea Chef featuring well-known and award-winning chefs. Check out all the events at sea here.
On land events
More than 200 exhibitors, sponsors, partners and institutions will welcome thousands of sailors and sailing enthusiasts on land at the Barcolana Village, opening in Piazza Unità and Scala Reale on Saturday, 5 October, and then extend along the Rive (Trieste’s waterfront) starting from Wednesday, 9 October. Piazza Unità will be transformed to look like the sea: it will host a 50-foot boat “moored” by Solaris in the center of the square, as well as the installation “Deep Blue Exploration Zone”, an immersive experience featuring videos of deep-sea exploration. Check out the on land day-by-day calendar here.
Since 2020 when it first debuted, this regatta has been aiming at promoting knowledge of mixed crews among the sailing community, and to involve more women into sailing. It will take place on Friday, 11 October and it will feature major players at sea, ranging from Olympic sailor Caterina Banti, two-time Olympic gold medalist in a mixed team, to one of the up-and-coming mixed sailing teams featuring Lisa Vucetti and Vittorio Bonifacio, two SVBG athletes who have won a world youth title, two European titles and an Italian title in 2024. On Sunday 13 October, during the Barcolana, the “Generali Women in Sailing Trophy” will be awarded to the mixed team with a woman in the role of skipper that first crosses the finish line.
«Generali promotes a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion – stressed Generali Chairman Andrea Sironi – Sport is an extraordinary tool for education as well as physical and mental well-being, contributing to the development of individuals and collective growth».
The big events
An increasing number of side events will add up to this year's edition. The Barcolana Sea Summit is quite a fixture in the Barcolana's program: four days of events dedicated to sea health (from 8 to 11 October). The literary festival “Barcolana, Un Mare di Racconti” (Barcolana, A Sea of Tales), from 9 to 12 October, will feature many writers. Plus the exhibition “Dal pensiero alla mano” (From Thought to Hand), showcasing the designs of master shipwright Federico Lenardon, opening on Saturday, 5 October at Sala Comunale D'Arte in Piazza Unità (vernissage at 6 pm).
But Friuli Venezia Giulia is not all about the sea... So, taking advantage of the many visitors who will come to the region for the Barcolana, PromoTurismoFVG (the regional tourism promoting agency) created the “Barcolana Ski FVG”: on Saturday, 12 October, at 10.30 am a promotional alpine skiing team competition will be held on the Aurisina artificial slope with four former ski champions representing Italy, Austria, Croatia, and Slovenia and young athletes of the regional team.
Photo credits:
All photos by Studio Borlenghi and provided by Barcolana's Press Office