Three curiosities about the Barcolana in Trieste

As every year the Barcolana of Trieste is getting closer and we are sure that, despite being among the most beloved events in the city, even those who know its history may not know all three of these little curiosities. Anecdotes that will offer you a perfect subject of conversation and make you appear as real experts of the famous regatta of Trieste.

And about the Barcolana: DoubleTree by Hilton Trieste will again be an official sponsor of the boat Idrusa and our guests can take advantage of some dedicated packages. If you are planning a stay in Trieste during the event, take a look at the Barcolana Special Offer to book with a discounted rate.

Barcolana regatta: anyone can participate 

Among the characteristics that make the Barcolana in Trieste a real party is the fact that it is open to everyone: not only professional crews but also amateurs and enthusiasts. Anyone can join the regatta and try the feat: the more the participants are, the better, so the Barcolana can beat the Guinness World Record earned during the 2018 edition with the attendance of 2689 boats.

Even the cost of registration is accessible to all, for smaller boats is equivalent to a few dozen euros. For updated information, on the official website of the Barcolana you can find all the specifications and the complete notice of race.

The prize for the funniest achievement or the slowest boat

The mixture of professionals and amateurs has given rise to a particular prize. Every year, since 1974, there is a parallel ceremony to the great official event at Teatro Rossetti: it takes place during the social dinner of the Società Velica Barcola e Grignano and awards the cup “Cici no xe per barca”.

This special award, which owes its name to the inhabitants of a mountainous area of Istria and their little experience in sailing activities, rewards the member who during the year distinguished himself or herself for the most awkward achievement. The misadventure may have taken place during the Barcolana itself or elsewhere, the important thing is that it happened in the sea: there are those who were rewarded as “Cicio” for having dropped their children into the water, those who ended up on the rocks and more.

At the Barcolana the latest boat also wins. Since 2019, the “Coppa Cagoia” – the name means snail in Trieste dialect – is assigned to the last of the participants who cut the arrival within the time limit.

The end of the sailing season

Since its birth, the Barcolana in Trieste is held on the second Sunday of October. The reason is simpler than you might think: when in 1969 it was decided to organize the “Autumn regatta Barcolana”, all previous weekends were already occupied by other more famous races. Probably no one could have imagined that over the years this small event, started by only 51 boats, would instead become a fundamental appointment of Italian and international sailing.

However, the late date has remained and is now also appreciated because it represents the end of the season. A last race of the year, before mooring your sailing boat and wait for the next adventures.