VELA Cup Marina Porto Rafael-Palau (June 27-29): why the new leg is not to be missed
THE PERFECT GIFT!
Give or treat yourself to a subscription to the print + digital Journal of Sailing and for only 69 euros a year you get the magazine at home plus read it on your PC, smartphone and tablet. With a sea of advantages.
Good seventh–but in this case certainly not because the other six are bad, on the contrary!
VELA Cup Marina in Porto Rafael-Palau, what it will be like
New this year on the VELA Cup regatta circuit is a “seventh seal” that is staged in one of the most beautiful and desirable sea areas in the entire Mediterranean. In fact, on Saturday, June 28 – on the sidelines of an entire weekend, from the 27th to the 29th, dedicated to sailing vacations – the first edition of the VELA Cup Marina di Porto Rafael-Palau is scheduled : a sailing race all to be discovered and experienced that will have as its setting a mythical and special place. It is the stretch of sea “nestled,” it really has to be said, between the coast of northern Sardinia around the village of Palau and the “thousand and one nights” islands of the Maddalena Archipelago.
VELA Cup Marina in Porto Rafael-Palau, a vacation not to be missed
Indeed, we are already in a summer month, but not yet in a period when the “crazy” August crowds come to sail, and not only, around Sardinia. That’s why the Vela Cup Marina di Porto Rafael-Palau on June 28 is therefore first and foremost an opportunity to enjoy a preview of a vacation in a magical place, to be discovered and rediscovered.
Taking a few days off early then allows one to set course in the true magic of Mare Nostrum; as evidenced first of all by the race course that was designed by the very strong sailor and racer Camillo Zucconi, coach and sports director of the Nox Oceans team.
It starts, of course, from the cozy and charming Marina of Porto Rafael to immediately give a southward slash to the delightful Rada di Mezzo Schifo located just west of the center of Palau and that Gulf of Palau that is a true paradise for sailors.
From here then dive northward having as its objective the coast of La Maddalena and in particular the magnificent inlet of Cala Francese. Doubled which the route turns west: the goal to circumnavigate one of the most beautiful islands of the Sardinian archipelago that of Spargi.
Past also Spargiotto then turn south: past Secca Corsara and Punta Coda Sardegna finally the finish line is in sight, in front of the Marina of Porto Rafael which, in addition to offering free mooring to all participants, hosts the big VELA Cup dock party.
Course in beauty
What can I say: a sailing trip that “touches,” coasts and doubles some of the places that the whole world, of sailing and beyond, envies Sardinia and Italy. Starting, of course, with the two islands of La Maddalena and Spargi, without forgetting Spargiotto, which-protected like the whole archipelago by the National Marine Reserve-are dream places especially outside high and very high tourist seasons. If Cala Francese is a wild, rocky cove famous for its clear, transparent waters, no less fascinating are Cala Ferrigno and Cala Granara in Spargi. Although perhaps the most special cove on the island is Cala Corsara, a unique mix of pink granite boulders, ultra-white sand and blue sea.
In short, the VELA Cup Marina in Porto Rafael-Palau undoubtedly leads to sailing in a true sailor’s paradise, capable of providing unique and unforgettable emotions with each sea outing. Bring who? But everyone as always: in fact, our regatta-sailing events are also beloved because, as always, any type of boat from 3 meters in length overall can participate; and no specific requirements other than those for recreational sailing are required, but most importantly. In short, the VELA Cup is open to everyone, all types of boats and crews. From dinghies to bluewater, from cruising boats with family crews to more “pulled” boats, from Classic Boats to full-carbon behemoths : with only one “diktat”. That of having fun and enjoying the course and the surrounding beauty.
High-level reception
“We are overjoyed to be hosting the first edition of the VELA Cup Marina di Porto Rafael-Palau,” says Fabrizio Aisoni, Tourism Councillor for the Municipality of Palau, ” what we hope will be a long series of regattas that are a great reason to come on vacation and boat in our sea even in late June.
We are sure that both incoming tourists and sailors as well as locals will immediately appreciate our VELA Cup, an event that I am convinced really can be important for the territory. In fact, we have always also been working to deseasonalize tourism and presences in our destinations, to give a chance also to the territory to have guests and at the same time to do firsthand sea activities and sports at all levels and all year round. Without forgetting that nautical tourism remains an important driver for the territory of Palau “.
“In recent years,” adds Ottavio Pincioni, owner and manager, together with his family, of the welcoming Marina of Porto Rafael, home of the VELA Cup, ” we have embarked on an evolution in our business of welcoming sailors that is transforming us into an even more complete and lively destination, without betraying our timeless charm due to the wonderful natural setting that surrounds us.
Also at the heart of this renewal is the enhancement of catering and the introduction of evening events that are winning over an increasingly large audience. That’s why we look forward to all VELA Cup participants to share with them an unparalleled event “.
SAIL Cup = party by day and by night
A marina of rare beauty set among huge granite rocks eroded and shaped by the wind and adorned with myrtle, arbutus and wild olive trees and perfectly integrated in this unique nature, the Marina of Porto Rafael has always been a strategic landing point to reach the incomparable inlets and beaches of the Maddalena Archipelago.
A true paradise for sailors, able to provide unique and unforgettable thrills with every sea outing, but also capable and punctual assistance thanks to the offer that includes 80 berths with depths up to 7 meters, for boats over 30 meters, buoy field with 11 buoys, 24/7 sea and land mooring assistance, and even an excellent gastronomic experience combined with vibrant evenings.
For relaxation and fun after the day at the beach, the Marina offers not only tasty aperitifs and an exclusive restaurant, but also events with signature DJ sets by Rafael’s Legacy.
A project created to offer high-level musical evenings in an evocative natural setting, with refined music and unique atmospheres capable of transforming each night into an unforgettable experience, Rafael’s Legacy project sees the artistic direction of Marco Carpentieri, an internationally renowned DJ, whose distinctive sound and long experience guarantee a refined and engaging musical selection.
And in the kitchen-only the brave!
If the sailing leg of the VELA Cup Marina di Porto Rafael-Palau ends in the harbor, after the mooring it starts again with the… “Regatta in the Kitchen.” For the North Sardinia leg of the Vela Cup circuit, in fact, the competition doubles and also continues “ashore” thanks to the historic Sardinian company Nieddittas, which will be a stage partner.
How? Providing each Vela Cup crew with a supply of mussels that will be the raw material to make a succulent dish and put themselves on the line, again, against other sailors.
Before the highly anticipated VELA Cup awards ceremony at sea – and the festive evening organized for guests thanks to the expertise of Rafael’s Legacy – a gastronomic competition to the last… mussel will be staged. Crews will bring their “strong” dishes prepared in the dinette, then a panel of judges formed by the chef of the Porto Rafael Marina restaurant and experts from the editorial staff of the Sailing Newspaper will choose the recipe to be awarded.
Prizes for (almost) everyone!
Speaking of prizes and cuisine, one of the ingredients that makes the VELA Cup unique is the big Saturday night awards party, and this new leg will be no exception.
With more than 50 prizes awarded in every single leg, at the VELA Cup they win (almost everyone): and not just those who went the hardest at sea. There are plenty of raffle prizes raffled off by our partners. Then music, drinks, and chill time for everyone: to tell each other about their experience at sea, while all the photos of the regatta scroll across the big screen on the stage.
Share:
Check out the latest issue
Are you already a subscriber?
Ultimi annunci
Our social
Sign up for our Newsletter
We give you a gift
Sailing, its stories, all boats, accessories. Sign up now for our free newsletter and receive the best news selected by the Sailing Newspaper editorial staff each week. Plus we give you one month of GdV digitally on PC, Tablet, Smartphone. Enter your email below, agree to the Privacy Policy and click the “sign me up” button. You will receive a code to activate your month of GdV for free!
You may also be interested in.
Take advantage of the bridge and enjoy the VELA Cup Liguria (May 2-4). It’s worth it!
Everything is ready for the first VELA Cup of the year, that of Liguria, the leg that will also inaugurate in 2025 the most attended regatta circuit in Italy, organized by GdV. There are 60 days to go until the
This is why you are all welcome to join the VELA Cup 2025. Sign up for it!
Over the years of the VELA Cup we have seen it all: fast gliding boats on the water and pairs of boats proceeding side by side to chat during the race. Very small dinghies, superboats of more than 20 meters,
VELA Cup is Classic, like your boat
Cruising, Sports and, of course, Classic All stages of the VELA Cup are open to any type of sailboat over three meters in overall length, with no limitations, and you can enter the event in either of these two categories:
SAIL Cup 2025. Questions & Answers
We are less than three months away from the first leg of the VELA Cup, it will take place at the Marina di Chiavari Calata Ovest in Liguria May 2-4. Here are a few answers to your questions that have
