The VELA Cup has descended on Salento. See you at the Marina di Brindisi: sign up now!
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Only three days to go before the big return of VELA Cup Puglia, the Salento leg of Italy’s most participated circuit, which from May 30 to June 1 will transform the Brindisi Marina into the beating heart of sailing. On Saturday, May 31, the more than 40 registered boats will take to the water to compete in a spectacular coastal course of about 13 miles, which will touch Punta Penne, the splendid Marine Protected Area of Torre Guaceto and the crystal-clear waters of the Brindisi coastline.
The course of the VELA Cup Puglia
It starts north of the Puntariso Dam, outside the port of Brindisi. The first destination is the buoy near the Punta Penne-Punta del Serrone Area of Natural and Historical Interest. From there, a nice ride along the coast to the second buoy, which is located not far from the Torre Guaceto Marine Protected Area. Then you tack and head back to the starting line. Total: about 13 miles of fun!
What weather (and wind) to expect
We reproduce below the weather forecasts provided by the official partner of the VELA Cup Meteomed.
Synoptic analysis: a regatta under the banner of structured wind
Saturday is a textbook case of well-organized synoptic winds that will affect the entire southern Adriatic sector. South-central Italy is on the eastern edge of an anticyclonic promontory with stable pressure around 1020-1023 hPa. To the west, a low in the Atlantic area favors a large-scale northwesterly flow.
In this configuration, local breezes will not be activated, but the wind on the ground will be driven by what happens at altitude.
Vertical & Thermal Profiles: a “textbook case” of Vertical Mixing
- The wind from NO at altitude (700-950 hPa) is well structured, with intensity between 30-35 knots.
- The atmospheric column has a strong vertical thermal gradient up to 850 hPa.
- Absence of inversions, presence of thermal turbulence, and very low CAPE/CIN indices.
→ Direct implications:
- Synoptic wind at high altitude easily reaches the ground due to mixing.
- We will have frequent gusts exceeding 20 knots, especially in the early afternoon.
- The wind will be uniform over the entire race course, with no holes or side gradients from breeze.
Model convergence: very high reliability
All major models agree on the NO-NNO direction between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., with an average wind range of 14 to 17 knots.
Theensemble shows more than 90% convergence, with very little dispersion.
→ Prediction reliability level: EXCEPTIONAL.
Micro-meteorological considerations and nautical implications Vertical mixing
The absence of cloud cover and strong surface heating promote vertical turbulence that drags the wind up to sea level.
Implications for navigation
Unexpected gusts: although the average is 14-16 knots, it can exceed 21 knots between 12 noon and 4 pm.
Conclusion
The VELA Cup Puglia 2025 regatta will be held in stable but challenging conditions, characterized by a dominant synoptic wind from NO, with intense gusts, rough seas and a clear sky. It is a perfect opportunity to test tactics, trim and crew responsiveness.
Good wind to everyone, see you at sea!
Which boats will participate
The VELA Cup is open to all boats, 3 meters and up, with no age limit or tonnage certificate, and no FIV membership is required for the crew.The spirit of the VELA Cup is that of a celebration of the sea truly for everyone, where racing sails, cruising and small boats compete on equal terms thanks to the VELA Cup secret fee system.
Among the boats already registered, which will be on the water during the VELA Cup Puglia, we find many Classic Boats such as Dor An Dour, Grand Soleil 34 from 1974 of which her owner Giuseppe Rollo says “A classic of sailing, she is now over fifty years old but remains a solid and reliable boat.” Or the Ziggurat 995“Isola,” from 1983 in the words of owner Mirko Miglietta “…a lady from another era, which still has a lot to say,” or Plastivela shipyard’s Mousse 99 “Magic,” dated 1986. But there are also many modern boats, such as the 2019 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 “Freedom.”
Currently, the smallest boat among those entered is Sankara, a Samourai MK1 from Adriano Peccerillo’s CNSO shipyard, at 7 meters and 40 centimeters. The largest, on the other hand, is Luigi Pannarale’s Felci 61 “Buena Vista” (18.82 meters). There will certainly be battling spirit in both classes, Cruising and Sport Boat, with someone already declaring himself ready for “battle.” He is Gianluca Fischetto, owner of the Salona 41 “Talitha,” who reported to us during registration “Last year we came third ….. this year… we’ll see!”
The program of the VELA Cup Puglia at the Marina di Brindisi
The VELA Cup Puglia program starts on Friday, May 30 with the opening of the VELA Cup Point to finalize entries and pick up the rich Gift Bag with exclusive gadgets, race number and instructions. Saturday, May 31 morning briefing at 9:30 a.m. and start at 11 a.m., followed by awards ceremony and party on the dock with raffle prizes for (almost) everyone, food, music and the famous convivial atmosphere of VELA Cup.
Not only regatta: thanks to the June 2 (Republic Day) bridge, VELA Cup Puglia is also an opportunity to discover the beauty of the area, from the pristine beaches of Ostuni to the Torre Guaceto Reserve and the archaeological site of Egnazia.
And for those coming from outside the area, the Brindisi Marina is offering a free night’s mooring to all registered boats (subject to availability).We look forward to seeing you at the dock: sign up now!
The other unmissable stages of the VELA Cup 2025
(click on the stage name for all the info and to sign up)
VELA Cup Sardinia/1
Friday, June 27 / Sunday, June 29 (regatta: Saturday, June 28)
Porto Rafael / Palau, Marina of Porto Rafael
VELA Cup Sardinia/2
Wednesday, August 20 / Friday, August 22 (regatta: Thursday, August 21)
Gulf of Cugnana / Porto Rotondo, Marina Cala dei Sardi
VELA Cup Procida
Friday, September 26 / Sunday, September 28 (regatta: Saturday, September 27)
Island of Procida, Marina di Procida
VELA Cup Sicily
Friday, October 3 / Sunday, October 5 (regatta: Saturday, October 4)
Capo d’Orlando/Eolie, Capo d’Orlando Marina
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