The only regatta in the world that takes place on a city circuit.
At the 10th edition of the Venice Hospitality Challenge regatta, which saw Excellence Magazine present as media partner, Arca SGR – Ca’ Sagredo, helmed by Furio Benussi, takes the podium by winning Overall after its recent success at the Barcolana. The traditional regatta, which runs along the Rive di San Marco to the Giudecca Canal, set a new participation record with 18 maxi yachts.
Emotions right from the start with Arca SGR – Ca’ Sagredo, Prosecco DOC Shockwave 3 – Hotel Excelsior and Way of Life – The Gritti Palace, immediately penalized for early start, and Adriatic Europa – Hotel Danieli shoaling a few meters from the island of San Giorgio. But at the first buoy Arca SGR recovered the disadvantage by turning in the lead all the way to the finish line.
The final ranking of the Venice Hospitality Challenge sees in the Maxi A Regatta ranked first Furio Benussi with Arca SGR – Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Vincec Gaspar with Way of Life – The Gritti Palace and Mitja Kosmina with Prosecco DOC Shockwave 3 – Hotel Excelsior; in the Maxi B Regatta Roberto Zambelli takes first place with the Pegaso – Alajmo Ristorante Quadri; followed by Jure Orel with the Clean Sport One – Violino d’Oro and the Anywave – The St. Regis Venice by Alberto Leghissa; in the Maxi Cruiser on the podium are Paolo Montefusco with Idrusa – Palazzina, Paolo Pesaresi with Kiwi – Ca’ di Dio VRetreats/LILT and Gughi Danelon with Anemos II – JW Marriott.
Venice Tourism Councilor Simone Venturini, FIV president Francesco Ettorre, Benoît de Froidmont, IMA (International Maxi Yacht Association) president, and Mirko Sguario, president of Yacht Venezia and patron of the regatta, presented the winners with the Doge’s Hat, which for this 10th edition was made by the Murano glassworks Berengo Studio.
Arca SGR – Ca’ Sagredo Hotel also won the special prize put up by Generali Italia on the occasion of its 10th anniversary.
“It is with a special spirit of satisfaction that I thank all those who helped bring great sailing to the heart of Venice this year by making the Venice Hospitality Challenge a unique event. The success of the exhibition “Venice Hospitality Challenge: the Decennial” also attests that witnessing a major sporting event related to seafaring and hospitality can revive those emotions that only the extraordinary setting of Venice can make unforgettable.” Mirko Sguario stated.
Thanks to a floating pier of more than 75 m positioned in the Giudecca Canal, at the height of the Zattere Palace, for the first time the public was able to admire the boats at berth up close. The pier was named in memory of the builder Renzo Rossi, considered among the top experts in the field of lagoon maintenance and preservation works.
“The mooring of boats in the city was a surprise that was greatly appreciated by Venetians and guests of the city and is definitely a project that can be worked on in the future as well,” added Fabrizio D’Oria, operations director of Vela Spa.
Tourism Councillor Simone Venturini emphasized the importance of the regatta for Venice: “For the tenth anniversary of the Venice Hospitality Challenge, there could not have been a more beautiful celebration: a great celebration of the sea, the best yachts and the best Venetian hospitality were the stars of this day.”
Venice Hospitality Challenge was held with the sponsorships and support by: Municipality of Venice, Veneto Region, Port System Authority of the Northern Adriatic Sea, Italian Sailing Federation; the support of: Vela S.p.A., Salone Nautico Venezia, Marina Militare, Venezia Le Città in Festa; gold sponsors Generali Italia, Visa, Acqua Dolomia; sponsors: Comte de Montaigne, Studio Berengo and MureaDritta. The following collaborated: the Port Authority, CMV Panfido, Bubola & Naibo, Assonautica, VYP Venice Yacht Pier, Portodimare, Marina Santelena, Venezia Certosa Marina, Alilaguna, Bellini Canella and Rossi Renzo Costruzioni.
Ph: Carlo Borlenghi
