All the protagonists and stories of the VELA Cup in Porto Rafael – Palau

The VELA Cup in Porto Rafael – Palau was a beautiful day of sailing and sport, with just the right amount of competitiveness but with the relaxed spirit that distinguishes the regattas of Italy’s busiest circuit. On a weekend in the middle of summer (the temperatures can testify to that, although still in June looking at the calendar) the sun and wind gave all registered crews thechance to test themselves with a course designed to entertain the most experienced and to engage newcomers. Here are who were the stars of the day.

From the crew who confided in us that they used gennakers for the very first time on board their boat (with the sail purchased a year ago but sitting gathering dust in storage, and we hope that after the VELA Cup they won’t get any more!) to thecatamaran designed to really go sailing (an Outremer 49) that measured up to its monohull cousins. At sea, all the different declinations of the “sailboat” concept were more than well represented, as evidenced by the beautiful photos of the regatta found at this link.

Just think that, on the same race course, a Wally95(27 meters) and a “mini Stealth” just 6.50 meters long, Giorgio Bevacqua’s “F60,” confronted each other from the starting line (the same for all boats). All together on equal terms, thanks to the VELA Cup’s secret fee formula and the two participation categories (Crusing Boat and Sport Boat) that allow anyone to be able to engage in duels until the last gybe.

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Why participate in the VELA Cups in Cala dei Sardi August 20-22

Contending for the palm of the smallest boat to the F60 was Carlo and Edoardo Bulgheroni’s Eryd 30“Feu Vert II,” a boat that with its beautiful green shone in the waters of Porto Rafael while also doing (spoiler, rankings are below) an excellent Crusing class race!

We didn’t give out an award, but the one for the most colorful crew would definitely have been won by those of Madaran, Ralf Cramer’s Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389. Look at them, all in red, in the photo above!

– SEE ALL THE PHOTOS OF THE REGATTA HERE –

The prize for the youngest crew, however, would most likely have gone to the youngsters of Suspiria the Revenge, Antonino Venneri’s Swan 42 – below at the helm – which (another spoiler…) won the VELA Cup in Porto Rafael – Palau.

From first to last

First across the finish line was the largest boat, Antonio Bevilacqua’s Wally 95 “Nina,” which crossed the finish line after 1 hour, 24 minutes and 58 seconds. After her all the other boats followed, along the stern finish line in front of Porto Rafael Marina, with a few surprises for those who decided to furl their headsails at the right time, gaining positions in the rankings.

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What a spectacle the magic of the VELA Cup in Porto Rafael – Palau! Here’s how the regatta went

The last to return, after about three hours after the starting signal, was the Classic Boat “Vélite 2,” Nicola Filia’s Baltic 33, which won-just as the last to arrive-a 3-year subscription to the Giornale della Vela (remember this for the next stages: at the VELA Cup, it’s not just who goes the fastest that wins!). But before we look at the other awardees, let’s turn to the afternoon after the regatta….

Regatta in the Kitchen: who won?

Upon their return, the crews found a bag of Nieddittas mussels waiting for them in the Porto Rafael Marina kitchen. Why? Simple, for the second challenge of the day: the Regatta in the Kitchen! This time not at sea but at the stove. Among all the crews who wanted to participate, the chef of the Marina of Porto Rafael (who tasted strictly in the dark all the mussel dishes presented) chose as the winner the cook (without knowing it) who cooked a delicious mussel dish aboard the Wally 95 “Nina.” For him, too, there was a special prize presented during the big award ceremony party.

What a sight the Latin sails are!

Among the boats that took to the water in Porto Rafael at the VELA Cup were two very special ones that filled the eyes of everyone present, which is why we cannot devote a separate paragraph to them. They are the two Latin sailing boats Vermentino by Enzo Barretta and Spargiotto by Alessandro Bifulco, secretary of the class. This very ancient type of rig lives again today in a new splendor on many boats, thanks to the many enthusiasts who are dedicated to it, and of these most are found right in Sardinia. Precisely Porto Rafael is one of the most important “homes” of Latin Sail, and for all participants it was exciting to see them sail in their ideal setting,

VELA Cup Porto Rafael – Palau – The winners and rankings

The prize-giving party began with the music of DJ Francesca Ruocco, who drew all the crews to the small square of the Marina of Porto Rafael, intent on enjoying an afternoon of sunshine (also in the sea, since you can swim from the pier). In the presence of the mayor of Palau Francesco Giuseppe Manna, who greeted all the crews to whom he gave an appointment for 2026, the awards ceremony then took place: below are all the winners!

LEG Winner (overall winner): 1. Suspiria the Revenge, Swan 42, Antonino Venneri who also takes home the Veneziani Yachting Special Prize with Speedy Carbonium antifouling and Adherpox primer
Overall Sport Boat Winner: 1. Suspiria the Revenge, Swan 42, Antonino Venneri
Overall Cruising Boat Winner: 1. El Chico, J Boat 109, Daniele Fogli

Classic Boat ranking: 1. White Fury, Nytec 23, Evero Niccolini 2. Nina, Wally95, Antonio Bevilacqua 3. La Bimba, Beneteau 40.7, Michele Bava 4. Vèlite 2, Baltic 33, Nicola Filia

Cruising Boat 1 (up to 11 m)rankings: 1. El Chico, J Boat 109, Daniele Fogli (wins SVB voucher) 2. Feu Vert II, Eryd 30, Carlo and Edoardo Bulgheroni 3. Madaran, Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389, Ralf Cramer 4. Curriola 2, Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389, Mariano Mich

Cruising Boat 2 ranking (13 m to 16 m): 1. LiberaMente, Italia Yachts 13.98, Marcello Elia (wins Moby discount voucher) 2. Albachiara, 460 Grand Large, Sergio Lombardini 3. Blend of blue eyes, Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS, Alessio Caggiati

Ranking Sport Boat 1 (up to 7.5 m): 1. White Fury, Nytec 23, Evero Niccolini (wins CD Sails voucher and a vacuum cleaner/vacuum cleaner) 2. The Pirate Myron, Focus 750, Andrew Rippon 3. The Rozzo Hub 2, Beneteau 20 Twenty, Pasquale Taula

Ranking Sport Boat 2 ( 8 m to 11 m): 1. F60, P808 Mini Stealth and Targia, Giorgio Bevacqua (wins CD Sails discount coupon and a vacuum cleaner/vacuum cleaner) 2. Vèlite 2, Baltic 33, Nicola Filia

Sport Boat 3 rankings (12 m to 13 m): 1. Suspiria the Revenge, Swan 42, Antonino Venneri (wins CD Sails discount coupon and a vacuum cleaner/vacuum cleaner) 2. La Bimba, Beneteau 40.7, Michele Bava 3. Bololombo, Grand Soleil 43 J&J, Marco Garbi

Ranking Sport Boat 4 (12 m to 14 m): 1. Nina, Wally95, Antonio Bevilacqua (wins Meteomed subscription) 2. Bucefalo, Outremer 49, Andrea Bolini

“Caprerini” award winner (to the best-placed crew with at least one Caprera Sailing Center alumnus on board): Furia Bianca, Nytec 23, Evero Niccolini

– DOWNLOAD THE FULL RANKINGS IN PDF HERE –

All the winners of the raffle prizes: Daniele Fogli won a comfortable jacket put up for grabs by Yachting Bond, the Leatherman multi-purpose tool was won by Antonio Bevilacqua, the Garmin cartography subscription was won by Ralf Cramer, while the wellness box from IBSA was the prerogative of Marcello Elia, the Ubi Maior blocking and belt set was won by Sergio Lombardini, and Nicola Filia won a 3-year subscription to the Journal of Sailing.

The party continued!

After the awards ceremony, the party continued with “apericena” offered by the Marina of Porto Rafael to all crews, this time with mussels cooked by the marina’s chef, and music selected by Francesca Ruocco. For the more daredevils, the evening continued late into the night, with the second part of the DJ set curated by Aether Porto Rafael artistic director Marco Carpentieri.

If you missed the Porto Rafael – Palau leg, don’t despair: the VELA Cup returns to Sardinia in August, with the Cala dei Sardi leg! All the details here: we are waiting for you!

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/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