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 weekend of May 2-4 when what has now become the great Spring “classic” will take place in the Gulf of Tigullio! On Saturday, May 3, the first leg of the VELA Cup Liguria regatta is scheduled at Marina di Chiavari – Calata Ovest.

VELA Cup Liguria – Take advantage of the super-bridge to participate!

By May we can already almost breathe the air of summer, and the first real days of warming sunshine entice us to spend as much time as possible on the boat. But this year’s Spring Classic falls at a particularly fortunate time. Calendar in hand, if we take into account the holidays of Easter (April 20), Liberation Day (April 25) and Labor Day (May 1), there are more than 10 days in which to indulge (by taking vacation) a few days of spring relaxation. And what better occasion than VELA Cup Liguria to wrap up a nice bridge or a real vacation?

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The “rumble” course of the VELA Cup Liguria on Saturday, May 3, 2025 is a real tour of wonders in the Gulf of Tigullio! We start in front of the Marina di Chiavari Calata Ovest, home of the VELA Cup, then pass Cavi di Lavagna and head for the third buoy. Finally you will pass the Portofino meda, where you will have a close view of the pearl of Tigullio and its coves, before returning in front of Chiavari to the starting line. This is the planned route in case of Scirocco, the prevailing wind in the Gulf of Tigullio, otherwise you will reverse the direction, passing first Portofino and then in front of Lavagna. And remember that if you come to Chiavari for the VELA Cup, the Marina di Chiavari Calata Ovest is offering 1 free night’s mooring on Saturday. Those who want to arrive on Friday and/or stay on Sunday as well, pay the extra night(s) at a subsidized rate.

A chance for a vacation in the gulf that everyone envies us

If you are among the lucky ones who manage to take a few days off in this “early” summer, you can take advantage of the VELA Cup in Chiavari to enjoy a few days of vacation in the surrounding area. From Chiavari to Santa Margherita Ligure, all the way to Portofino, the area offers several very picturesque views, even more beautiful when seen from the sea. Starting from Santa Margherita Ligure, a seaside town that fascinates and attracts tourists from all over the world, immediately after passing the North East Cove-which enlivens the evenings in the area-we find the beach of Punta Pedale. Continuing toward Portofino, on the other hand, we arrive at the enchanting Bay of Paraggi and – a little further on – that of Niasca, in the Portofino Park MPA, ending with the last inlet that hides Baia Cannone before arriving at the Portofino marina.

Portofino is one of the places the world envies us, a unique gem with its little houses by the sea, nature hiding dreamy houses and villas, and the little square where you can have an aperitif at nightfall. We recommend the walk that leads to the Portofino Lighthouse, it is not demanding and does not take too long, and the view from the lighthouse overlooking the Gulf of Tigullio is priceless!

Past Monte di Portofino-which is also worth a trek or a walk, although more challenging-we arrive at the western side of the promontory, which is also home to breathtaking landscapes and coves, such as Cala degli Inglesi. The first point to recommend is definitely the cove of San Fruttuoso, known for its turquoise waters and the Benedictine Abbey of the same name founded in 711, set in nature. For diving enthusiasts there is certainly worth mentioning the famous and fascinating statue of the Christ of the Abyss. Continuing toward Genoa with a very short sail, one arrives at Punta Chiappa, the western end of the promontory, which then reconnects to the Ligurian coast with the town of Camogli.

If you do not have to return to Genoa but to La Spezia (or further east), you could take the opportunity to discover another of Italy’s most popular tourist areas: the Cinque Terre. By interspersing your navigation with a stop in Sestri Levante and its beautiful Baia del Silenzio, you will in fact arrive with little effort at the Cinque Terre National Park, which is definitely worth a stop ashore as well.

Who can participate in the VELA Cup Liguria?

The watchword is always the same: in fact, our regatta-sailing events are open to any type of boat from 3 meters in length overall and no specific requirements other than those for recreational sailing are required. The VELA Cup is open to everyone, any type of boat and crew. From dinghies to bluewater, from cruising boats with family crews to more “pulled” boats, from Classic Boats to full-carbon racers: with only one “diktat.” That of having fun and enjoying the course and the surrounding beauty.

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Prizes for (almost) everyone!

Those who have already participated in the VELA Cup know that one of the ingredients that makes each leg unique is the Saturday awards ceremony, held in the afternoon after the conclusion of the race at the Marina di Chiavari Calata Ovest.

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.

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