Here’s why the World Vaurien 2025 is an event not to be missed

From July 13 to 19, the 63rd World Championship dedicated to the legendary Vaurien class will be held on Lake Bracciano (Rome). Crews from 14 countries are competing for the title and a packed schedule of side events for a competition that is also a fantastic celebration of sailing.

Today, sailing is increasingly a concentrate of technology, with ultralight fibers, foils that fly on water, a thousand electronic gadgets, even artificial intelligence that will sooner or later take the place of skippers. It is the natural evolution of a discipline that has always looked to the future. What remains the same, however, is the true spirit of sailing, the sense of challenge, the desire for adventure, the confrontation with nature and that very special euphoria of sailors that tastes of freedom. Behold, there are sailing classes that have the power and magic to cross time unscathed, to remain relevant and remarkably true to themselves. To that original spirit with which they were born and which never ceases to keep them alive.

One such class is the legendary Vaurien, an ingenious boat born back in 1951 from the pencil of Jean Jacques Herbulot. In spite of an ironic and provocative name (“worth nothing,” in French), in reality on this 4-meter hull millions of sailors all over the world have been trained and the very culture of going to sea for the simple sake of it has matured. That is why years later the Vaurien is still the protagonist of events that go beyond pure sporting value. Like the 2025 World Championship that will be staged this summer, from July 13 to 19, right in Italy, on Lake Bracciano (Rome).

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So here is what will happen in this beautiful event organized by the AS Vaurien Italia International Sailing Class in partnership with us at the Giornale della Vela who will follow it from the inside and tell you everything in real time.

An “Open” championship with 90 crews on the water

True to the popular and super-inclusive spirit of the class, the 63rd Vaurien World Championships will be an “Open” event, meaning it will be open to professional athletes and ordinary amateurs, ages 13 to 65. About 90 male, female and mixed crews from 14 nations and 4 continents are expected to participate. More than half will be young athletes in the junior category, and between racers, companions and fans the event will involve about 2,000 people for a week of racing, healthy competitiveness, but also conviviality and sharing.

As for the competition format, three races will be held each day from July 13 to 19 (except for the fourth rest day) for a total of 12 races. Many versions of the Vaurien will take to the water, from the most modern fiberglass models to the more traditional and dated wooden “acajou” hulls, with racers as always ready to exchange solutions and technical advice ashore in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

“That of the Vaurien is a strongly inclusive class that has the mission of spreading sailing and its values, but above all the seafaring culture,” explains Ferdinando Cocucci of the AS Vaurien Italia International Sailing Class. “Those who get on the Vaurien first have fun because it is a fast, technical and complete boat and then learn to be a good sailor, and then perhaps go on to offshore sailing on cabin cruisers or more adrenaline-pumping sailing, such as that of the 49er. It is with this spirit of sharing and open-mindedness that we organize all the class events, including the Worlds. We feel we are a true and large sailing community that lives its passion in a healthy way and cultivates respect for others, for the sea and for nature.”

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Lake Bracciano, a stunning location

The very location chosen to hold the Vaurien World Championship is a special place, Lake Bracciano, located north of Rome. In addition to offering an elegant and evocative natural setting, it is one of the best-performing race courses in Italy, providing variable but never extreme wind conditions on a wide stretch of water of about 6 kilometers that allows the crews’ courses of action to be oriented in the most congenial way. It is no coincidence that on the shores of the lake for years there have been dozens of resident sailing clubs organizing national and international regattas with all classes, from Optimist to Olympic classes.

Hosting the Vaurien Worlds is Centro Vela Bracciano is one of the most active on the lake, home to the Olympic 470 class. It offers a large area shaded by majestic maritime pines and is equipped with all the amenities and services useful to athletes. Not only that. At the Vaurien World Championships, Centro Vela Bracciano’s activities will be supported by about 40 volunteers from other sailing clubs around the lake-a fine model of far play devoted to making such an important event even more hospitable, rich and memorable.

Side events: meetings, live music and beach party

In addition to the regattas, the Vaurien 2025 World Championship will host a series of side events with the intention of expanding opportunities for the public to participate and consolidate an open and inclusive idea of sailing. These include the “Vaurien Wooden Experience,” a sail dedicated to historic Vauriens and also open to other classes, and the “Vaurien Talks and Stories,” events where leading figures from the sailing world will meet to talk about the future of Vaurien. These meetings, moreover, will be streamed online with simultaneous translation. Finally, there will be many convivial moments, such as the “Vaurien Nights” enlivened by live music and DJ-Sets.

On Monday, July 14, there will be the Gala Evening with a live concert by Geoff Westley, a British musician, composer and producer who has worked with the biggest stars of Italian and world music. Closing instead on Saturday, July 19, is the grand awards ceremony with an eventful “After Race Party” to follow.

Vaurien and Sailing Newspaper, a unique partnership

The Vaurien 2025 World Championship is organized by the AS Vaurien Italia International Sailing Class, in collaboration with the Lazio Region, the Municipality of Bracciano, the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, the Municipality of Anguillara Sabazia, the Municipality of Trevignano and the Bracciano-Martignano Park Authority.

We at the Giornale della Vela are participating in the event as a media partner and remind you that at the “VELA Cup Toscana di Marina Cala de’ Medici” scheduled for May 24, the Vaurien boats will also be the protagonists, which will have a special ranking, as well as a “tailor-made” course. The Vaurien class for the occasion will provide some boats for those who want to test themselves at the VELA Cup. Take advantage of it and climb aboard this legendary boat!