The “Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Veloce 2024,” the longest regatta in the Mediterranean, set off from Venice

The third edition of the Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Veloce got underway Nov. 1 in the Venice Lagoon. It is an epic offshore race, the longest in the Mediterranean, with a 1,492-mile non-stop route to Genoa on the Bènèteau Figaro 3s.

Last Nov. 1, the magic of the Venetian lagoon was the setting for the start of the“Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Veloce 2024,” the longest regatta in the Mediterranean, organized by Difesa Servizi in collaboration with the Navy and SSI Sport & Events. The course of this exhilarating offshore race is in fact 1,492 miles non-stop from Venice to Genoa in a circumnavigation that is not only adventure, excitement and sailing technique, but symbolizes an embrace of Italy, its culture and values.

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Crews competing: among them the best of the offshore

In front of a large audience of enthusiasts, a fleet of 10 One Design Bènèteau Figaro 3 boats took off in the Grand Canal, in front of St. Mark’s Square, in the presence of the Navy’s Thaon di Revel ship. Here are the competing teams, each symbolically celebrating Italian lighthouses: ” Marina Militare” by Davide Foti and Tommaso Giacomin (Fenaio lighthouse boat), ” Aeronautica Militare” by Giovanni Bannetta and Niccolò Bertola (Capel Rosso lighthouse boat), ” Waving Meadows” by Silvio Sambo and Manuel Polo (Spadillo lighthouse boat), ” Città di Genova” by Matteo Bogliolo and Andrea Chiappe (Capo Faro lighthouse boat), ” RORC 1” by Ivar Elstrodt and Jelle Lourens (Polveraia lighthouse boat), ” RORC 2” by Ben Ibbotson and Nico Onore (lighthouse boat Capo Caccia), “Acone Associati” by Joseph Kurta and Erik Holmbom (lighthouse boat Capo Miseno), “Yacht Club Sanremo” by Pierre Luigi Capozzi and Alessio Brasili (lighthouse boat San Marco), “DEAS” by Francesco Farci and Pietro Mureddu (lighthouse boat Cataldo) and “Yacht Club Italiano” by Andrea Cupaioli and Lorenzo Donati (lighthouse boat Veniero).

Opening ceremony among the public and authorities

The start of the regatta was preceded by an official presentation at the Naval Historical Museum in Venice, where civil and military authorities spoke, including Rear Admiral Giuseppe Schivardi, Commander of the Maritime Military Studies Institute, and Giovanni Giusto, councilor for the protection of traditions, who brought greetings from the mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro. Luca Andreoli, CEO of Difesa Servizi, said, “The Navy Pink Ribbon Tour and Veloce were the first sports and cultural events organized by Difesa Servizi to promote the values, traditions, material and cultural heritage as well as the skills of our Armed Forces and Defense. A unique format, appreciated by the public and sailors and able to introduce our country from a different perspective, that of the sea.” Riccardo Simoneschi, President of SSI Events, opened the event by stating, “This regatta represents a challenge not only for the participants, but also a showcase for our country. The presence of important international sailors attests to the ever-growing prestige of the event.”

A regatta that celebrates the whole of Italy

Rear Admiral Antonio Natale, Commander of the Navy Schools in Ancona, brought greetings from the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino, stressing the importance of this initiative: “The Navy Pink Ribbon Veloce is an event that not only celebrates sports, but also enhances the beauty and diversity of our cultural and maritime heritage. With this regatta we promote the values of the Navy, we unite Italian histories, traditions and cultures.” After the celebrations, the Bènèteau Figaro 3 fleet took off for the circumnavigation of Italy. Appointment then at the arrival, in Genoa, to celebrate the winners who will win a rich prize money of 50,000 euros and see if the fantastic record of this extraordinary non-stop regatta set in 2021 and which is 8 days, 8 hours and 37 minutes will endure. Good wind, guys!

NAVY PINK RIBBON TOUR 2024 AT A GLANCE

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour 2024 is to promote offshore sailing in Italy and coastal tourism, as well as the presence of women in offshore racing and the new culture of environmental sustainability.

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ORGANIZERS: The Navy Pink Ribbon Tour 2024 is organized by Defense Services S.p.A. in collaboration with Sailing Series International Sports & Events, and with the key support of ENIT – National Tourism Agency and the Italian Sailing Federation.