From 29 to 31 May 2025, the Porto Vecchio of Sanremo returned to being the stage for classic sailing with the first official edition of the Grandi Regate Internazionali, 1st stage of the CIM Mediterranean Circuit and 2nd of the Coppa AIVE del Tirreno 2025, organised in collaboration with the Circolo Velico Capo Verde, the FIV, the AIVE and with the support of the Liguria Region – European Region of Sport 2025.
Over 300 sailors from all over Europe and Argentina, a fleet of excellence: history, elegance, and competition from over 36 vintage, classic, and IOR boats that competed in three days of spectacular regattas.
“Events like this not only bring back splendid examples of naval art, but also an elegant way of sailing, a deeply rooted passion, and a world of values that must be preserved,” commented our President Beppe Zaoli.
Here are the winning boats by category:
- 🥇 Mariska (1908) – Big Boat : 27-metre gaff cutter, one of four 15-metre SIs still sailing, won the Big Boat category, ahead of Tuiga (1909) , the historic yacht of Prince Albert of Monaco.
- 🥇 Falcon (1930) – Vintage 1 : wooden Bermudian yawl, she was one of the most impressive vintage yachts.
- 🥇 Vistona (1937) – Vintage 2 : classic ketch, regular protagonist of the AIVE regattas, won in her division.
- 🥇 Crivizza (1966) – Classic : wooden sloop built by Cantieri Sangermani, it climbed to the top step of the podium among classic yachts.
- 🥇 Resolute Salmon (1976) – Classic IOR : IOR boat of the 1970s, designed for offshore racing, dominated in its category.
- 🥇 Nita (1977) – Open: fast and light, it won the category reserved for boats out of tonnage or without an AIVE certificate.
- 🥇 Oliria (1976) – Classic IOR : in addition to the regatta, she also won the “Vela & Sapori” sea cooking competition.
Furthermore, the 13th edition of the “Vela & Sapori” gastronomic challenge took place on May 30th, with dishes cooked on board during the regatta. A jury evaluated taste, presentation, and difficulty of the preparation: Oliria triumphed, taking home a double sporting and culinary success.
During the event, the Regatta Village welcomed hundreds of enthusiasts and over 150 students from the schools of Sanremo, who climbed aboard iconic vessels such as Il Moro di Venezia I, the legendary Italian America’s Cup boat, and the vessels of the Italian Navy: the yawl Stella Polare, the recently restored yacht Tarantella and Penelope, a vintage wooden double-masted vessel.
The Grandi Regata Internazionali offered a social program of events for the crews and the city, from an aperitif in Piazza Bresca with a concert, to guided tours, demonstrations by carpenter Eva Bonacina of Legno Vivo, Olbia – Donne in Costruzione Nautica, show-cooking by the restaurants “Paolo e Barbara” and “Osteria del Marinaio”, and a thrilling final fireworks display over Porto Vecchio.
The awards ceremony took place during the gala dinner for 400 attendees, attended by the Governor of Liguria, Marco Bucci, the President of the Province of Imperia, Claudio Scajola, the Mayor of Sanremo, Alessandro Mager, Lieutenant Isabella De Luca, Commander of the Sanremo Coast Guard, and Pino Di Meco, President of the Sanremo Casino.
We would like to thank Abate Gioielli, the Sanremo Casino, E20, Cantieri degli Aregai, the Capo Verde Sailing Club, the Municipality of Sanremo, Amer Yachts, the Cozzi Parodi Group, Portosole, the Royal Hotel, and all the technical partners and sponsors who made the event possible. We thank the President of the Jury, Marco Cimarosti, also Head of the FIV Zone 1 Judges Section, and the Race Committee: Fulvio Parodi, President, and Luisa Franza, Honorary Member of our club.
“The Great International Regattas have been held in Sanremo since the early 1900s. Today we are bringing them back to life, respecting the same elegance and passion of those times,” commented our Commodore Umberto Zocca di Montelupo. “We are already working on the next editions, intending to strengthen the bond between the city, the sea, and the culture of vintage sailing: see you in 2026, from May 21th to 23rd!”