What is the Barcolana?
The Barcolana is the sailing race held in the Gulf of Trieste, usually on the second Sunday of October. It is open to everyone: big racing maxis and cruising boats sailed for pleasure start together. The first edition was in 1969. In 2018, at the 50th edition, it entered the Guinness World Records as the largest sailing race in the world, with 2,689 boats.
How did the 58th Barcolana go?
On Sunday 11 October 2026, 1,858 boats started, with more than 15,000 sailors on board. The starting line was almost 3.5 kilometres long and the whole fleet crossed it in under half an hour. The wind came from the east, shifting between 90 and 120 degrees, then eased into a light north-westerly breeze around 4 pm.
Arca SGR, Furio Benussi’s 100-footer, won for the fourth year in a row in 1 hour, 5 minutes and 9 seconds. It was Benussi’s 50th Barcolana. Prosecco DOC Shockwave 3 finished second, about three and a half minutes behind, and Marta 07 was third. Marta 07, helmed by Marta Benussi, also won the Generali Women in Sailing Trophy.
The course took in the Muggia and Miramare marks, with the stretch from Miramare towards Barcola and the last leg upwind to Trieste.
Where can you watch the race?
The course passes in front of Miramare and Barcola, so the coast between the two is a good vantage point. The finish is in front of the city. Either way, a walk along the waterfront puts you in the middle of the sails.
Where to stay for Barcolana weekend?
On race days the city is very busy, so it is worth booking early. We have four residences in three areas of the centre: The Collector and The Architect in Borgo Teresiano, steps from the Grand Canal, The Essentialist in Cavana, near Piazza Unità, and The Maison near the Central Station. From the first three you can walk to the sea.
The minimum stay is two nights and you book directly on the website. You will find every residence in the collection and the guide to the areas in where to stay in Trieste.
When is the next Barcolana?
If the second-Sunday-of-October tradition holds, the next one would fall on Sunday 10 October 2027. Official dates are on barcolana.it.
Sources for the 58th edition data: the official race report on barcolana.it and ANSA.
A regatta is watched from the water, but best enjoyed coming home to a city that has its most beautiful light in October.
· The Concept Studio · Trieste, 2026
