From May 26 to 28, the Marina di Cala de’ Medici turns into the capital of Tuscan and Italian sailing. In the long weekend leading up to the 151 Miglia, in addition to being the first leg of the VELA Cup, the circuit of regattas open to all boats and sailors (sports and non-sports), along the docks of the marina VELAFestival returns, a great celebration of sailing and the sea, in a place made by sailors for sailors, also open to enthusiasts, their families and friends.
All the stages of the VELA Cup 2023
- May 26 / 28 – VELA Cup Toscana / VELAFestival
- June 3 / 4 – VELA Cup Brindisi
- June 24 / 25 – VELA Cup Magdalena
- July 22 / 23 – VELA Cup Venice
- August 19 / 20 – VELA Cup Costa Smeralda
- October 7 / 8 – VELA Cup Sicily
That’s why you can’t miss VELAFestival!
From Friday, May 26 to Sunday, May 28, boats, charters, secondhand, accessories, equipment, clothing and the entire sailing world is on display along the Marina Cala de’ Medici docks. Leading boat operators present their products and are on hand to explain and illustrate their latest innovations at the VELAFestival. Food and music will not be missing, because the VELAFestival more than a salon is a living room where you can share your passions with exhibitors, enthusiasts and legendary sailors.
VELAFestival is for everyone
Marina Cala de’ Medici, as well as being a state-of-the-art facility for technological and environmental innovation, the lead partner of the Tuscany Marine consortium, as director and president Matteo Italo Ratti tells us, has always tried to sew a strong relationship with its territory. Here’s why at the VELAFestival will not only talk about sailing but there will also be many exhibitors of local products, including wineries, oil mills, expressions of Tuscan gastronomic and enological excellence that the whole world envies us.
With its 650 berths from 8 to 36 meters, Marina Cala de’ Medici is located in the center of Tuscany, on a picturesque stretch of coastline between Rosignano and Castiglioncello, in the heart of the Etruscan Coast. The pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea and a vacation destination for important figures from the world of cinema, such as Alberto Sordi, Guido Mannari and Marcello Mastroianni, Castiglioncello offers one of the most beautiful views of the entire Tuscan coastline. Unique are the sunsets among nature, crystal clear waters and the beach that can be seen from Quercetano Bay.
For those who would also like to explore the hinterland, as well as sail around the Tuscan archipelago, a stop in Bolgheri is not to be missed . This small town in the Livorno hinterland can be reached via the charming Viale dei Cipressi, made famous by Giosuè Carducci’s verses in the poem Davanti San Guido. In addition to a spectacular view of the hills of the Livorno Maremma, one of the world’s best wine cellar estates is located here. With six centuries of history behind it (it has been in business since 1385), the winery Marchesi Antinori is the first Italian winery to win the prestigious award from Drink international magazine, given by an international jury of Masters of Wine, sommeliers, buyers, journalists and industry experts from around the world.
The VELA Cup is also Classic
Back on the water, with the VELA Cup. As announced the big news at this year’s VELA Cup is the new Classic Boat class, for all those boats, including production and fiberglass boats, more than 25 years old. So step up because at the VELA Cup, competition is for everyone. There are those who participate in the Sport Boat category , using non-inferred sails such as spi, gennaker and code 0, and those who just want to have fun with friends and family, in the Cruising Boat category , with white sails. You don’t have to be a sailing champion to win; there are prizes a little bit for everyone. In addition to a rich gift bag, numerous beautiful prizes offered by partners Garmin, Veneziani, Leatherman, Plastimo, HiNelson, and YachtingBond will be raffled off on Saturday evening at the awards ceremony. All it takes to win is a stroke of luck!
Mooring is free if you sign up now for VELA Cup Toscana
Sign up now for the VELA Cup, the first 20 boats from outside will get free mooring, for everyone else Marina Cala de’ Medici offers a discounted price for the whole weekend. All the more reason to come to Tuscany and be based in the “northernmost southern” marina.
Straddling two spectacular regattas
The VELA Cup Toscana straddles two spectacular regattas and an opportunity to bring the boat to the Cala dei Medici Marina for a “three weeks of sailing.” The 100 of Montecristo, a regatta among the treasures of the Tuscan Archipelago, will be held on May 20 and 21. Organized by the Marina di San Vincenzo Yacht Club, the regatta starts from San Vincenzo, north of Piombino, circumnavigates the island of Elba, Pianosa and Montecristo and then returns to San Vincenzo. To the winner, a prestigious prize: the Trophy is a silver cup weighing nearly 10 kilograms, embellished with eight sails symbolizing the variety of winds each racer might encounter as he or she sails the 100-mile race course.
The weekend following the VELA Cup, however, will be the 151 Miglia, the quintessential medium-duration Italian offshore regatta. The course winds along one of the most beautiful and fascinating natural race courses in the world: the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. It starts on June 1 from Livorno and then rounds the mythical island of Giraglia, north of Corsica, skims the island of Elba and descends to the Formiche di Grosseto, where it finally veers and climbs back north to cross the finish line in Punta Ala.
SIGN UP NOW FOR MARINA DE’ MEDICI’S SAILING CUP
James Barbaro
