VELA Cup show with 120 boats! PHOTOS, VIDEOS and CLASSIFICATIONS

Over 120 boats on the water, from dinghies to mini maxis, more than a thousand sailors involved, and the Gulf of Tigullio full of sails and colors to enshrine the definitive rebirth of these places after the terrible October sea storm: this was the VELACup of Santa Margherita Ligure at TAG Heuer VELAFestival 2019. The largest and most crowded sailing-racing event in the Tyrrhenian Sea did not disappoint expectations: a very large and heterogeneous fleet, from crews with a more cruising spirit to those with a more racing spirit, all together along a 9-mile “quadrilateral” starting in front of the port of Santa Margherita and buoys between Portofino and Zoagli. Crossing the finish line first was Salvatore Costanzo’s Farr 53 QQ7, the fastest to move in the variable conditions of Tigullio.

It started with winds around 10 knots with a few gusts even more intense, then a large lull invaded the course when the head of the fleet was passing the second course mark, allowing the faster boats to escape. The smaller ones, on the other hand, had to wait until the clouds cleared and the breeze regained intensity to complete the course.

During the awards ceremony, a valuable Tag Heuer Aquaracer watch and a Garmin InReach will be raffled off among all regatta participants. For those who had instead signed theEco Sailor poster ofMed Plastic, the association of the Sailing Newspaper that promotes the protection of the sea from plastic waste, a Sup (the board where you sail standing up) from Vetus will be raffled.

HERE the complete rankings of the VELACup

HERE the full gallery

MAY 5 AT TAG HEUER VELA FESTIVAL

The day will open with a repeat of the VELACup, again hundreds of boats on the water for another big party, with prizes for (almost) everyone on the dock.

Not to be missed on the main stage will be the event The True Spirit of Sailing: living by boat by dropping everything, in hobie cat around Italy, the ocean with nothing, in the wake of Moitessier. We will talk about this with Fabio and Marina Portesan, Francesco and Giacomo Galimberti, Dan Lenard, Andrea Fanfani, and sailors from the Caprera Sailing Center.

At this link the complete agenda with day-by-day events
http://www.velafestival.com/agenda/

A complete list of exhibitors can be found at this link
http://www.velafestival.com/espositori-2019/

THE TAG HEUER VELAFESTIVAL

TAG Heuer VELAFestival is the big sailing and boating festival organized by the Sailing Newspaper. Enthusiasts will find here a mix of beautiful boats from 2 to 30 meters; accessories, clothing, and sails for purchase directly at the booth; services for boating and all-around Mediterranean tourism; seamanship tutorials and sailing school for young and old; great events; and videos and films of exciting sea stories. But the party will not only be ashore and on the dock. On the sea, for the fourth consecutive year, is the VELA Cup (last year with 206 boats at the start), a sailing event where boats of all kinds, from three meters and up, can be compared by simply declaring the length overall and the distinction between “cruising” and “racing” classes.