·

The world’s largest regatta – and you’ve probably never heard of it

Barcelona Boats

 

Oct 23, 2018

Barcolana

This month, Spirit of Portopiccolo, steered by Furio Benussi, with Alberto Bolzan at the mainsail, and tacticians Lorenzo Bressani and Gabriele Benussi, won the 50th edition of Barcolana, the largest regatta in the world held in Trieste, Italy

Barcelona AirshowOn the second Sunday of October, at 10.30 am, right after the Italian Air Force display at 10.10 am, the largest regatta in the world kicked off. Note these record participation numbers: 2,689 competitors, 28 thousand sailors, over 400 events on land and at sea and over 300 thousand spectators. Among these, there must have been some Canadians but the staggering result sheets (83 pages!) don’t mention any CDN boats among the 26 hundred.

Barcelona WaterfrontWinning Barcolana means being first in the largest regatta in the world. Before the gun, organizers decided to widen the start line by 500 metres to be able to accommodate all registered boats at the start line, extending it to two miles in length.

Staggering! Take a look at the of results http://www.barcolana.it/classifica

and digest the number of boats, from all over Europe mostly. I was surprised to observe that there was a huge proportion of what I’d call ‘regular’ boats rather than exotic super racers.

The pictures are impressive, but I think any keen boater will need to add Trieste to their bucket list to see the spectacle first hand.

– JM

Barcelona RaceBarcelona Poster

 

 

 

Related Articles

Maninita Cove

Timeless Tonga – Charter Sailing in a Polynesian Paradise

When one thinks of Tonga in the South Pacific, the mind conjures up images of a Polynesian paradise – white sand beaches on lush tropical islands, sprinkled like emeralds on a turquoise sea.  Supplement that image with quiet anchorages, warm breezes and crystal-clear waters and it’s understandable why Tonga is considered one of the world’s premiere sailing destinations.

Video Gallery

Jeanneau Yachts 55

Throw away the box, this is some fresh thinking

Seemingly part sailboat and part spaceship, the new Jeanneau Yachts 55 just busted through the boundaries of traditional yacht design. I couldn’t take my eyes off the bubble hardtop that met me at the dock and I stepped aboard with trepidation. A few hours later, I was planning how to spend my not-yet-won lottery winnings.

Read More

Destinations

Paving the Way to Cleaner Boating – How a Commitment to Reducing our Environmental Impact is Inspiring Cleaner Boating in Ontario

By Dave Rozycki

Over the past seven decades, Ontario’s marina industry has developed alongside some of Canada’s largest freshwater lakes. Boaters have been able to enjoy the beautiful scenery and create lasting memories on the water, with certain marinas dating back to the 1960s. As we reflect on this rich history, we can begin to see trends in how our footprint may have had an effect on the environment, in not-so-positive ways. However, by embracing innovative solutions and adopting sustainable practices, both marinas and boaters hold the key to preserving and enhancing the quality of our lakes and marine life for generations to come.

Read More

Lifestyle