The great sails bring sport and excitement to the heart of Venice.
The 12th edition of the Gran Premio Velico di Città di Venezia – Venice Hospitality Challenge 2025 was a big spectacle. Excellence Magazine was media partner of this prestigious event. The regatta, which took place as per tradition in the city’s inland waters, saw Prosecco Doc Shockwave 3, skippered by Mitja Kosmina with Michele Paoletti as tactician and Stefano Spangaro as mainsail, take the lead just a few meters after the start off Punta della Dogana. After overtaking Marta 07, helmed by Marta Benussi, Prosecco Doc Shockwave 3 easily maintained the lead until the finish line.
Thousands of people crowded along the shore of San Marco to admire the fleet, accompanied by the playful leaps of a dolphin in front of the boats’ bows. A memorable success on a splendid day that once again allowed the Serenissima to show off its best side.
The category winners of the Venice Hospitality Challenge 2025 were: in the Regatta, Mitja Kosmina with Prosecco DOC Shockwave 3; in the Hotel category, Gaspar Misic with Adriatic Europa Hotel Danieli; in the Cruise category, Diego Napolitano with Anemos; and finally, in the TP52 class, Matteo Fossati with Blu.
The awards ceremony also saw the presentation of the Barcolana Venice Hospitality Trophy, a Challenge trophy awarded for the best performances in the Barcolana Maxi Trofeo Portopiccolo and Venice Hospitality Challenge. For the second consecutive year, the trophy was won by Anywave Safilens, helmed by Alberto Leghissa. The award was presented by Mirko Sguario, president of the Yacht Club Venezia, Dean Bassi, vice president of the Società Velica Barcola Grignano, and Mauro Parladori, sporting director of Altomare.
Mirko Sguario, president of the Yacht Club Venezia and patron of the event, declared, “The Venice Hospitality Challenge is a unique event: bringing top-level sailing to the heart of Venice, it celebrates a tradition spanning more than a thousand years, creating a direct dialogue between sport and the city every year. Seeing the waterfront crowded with spectators fills us with joy.”
Ermelinda Damiano, President of the Venice City Council, and Andrea Tomaello, Deputy Mayor and Sports Councillor, extended the city’s greetings to an event that has firmly established itself at the heart of the Venetian Autumn.
“The great sails in the heart of Venice never fail to put on a show, and this regatta serves as an important milestone ahead of the next Boat Show, scheduled from May 27th to June 1st, 2026. My heartfelt congratulations to the Yacht Club Venezia and to Mirko Sguario for this 12th edition of the Venice Hospitality Challenge, full of excitement,” remarked Fabrizio D’Oria, General Director of the Venice Boat Show.
Sponsored by the City of Venice, the Veneto Region and the Northern Adriatic Sea Port System Authority, the Venice Hospitality Challenge is supported by partners Vela Spa, the Venice Boat Show, the Italian Navy, Venezia Le Città in Festa, the Harbour Master’s Office, the Coast Guard, the Military Corps of the Order of Malta and the Italian Sailing Federation. Main sponsors include Generali Italia, Ca’ Sagredo, Hotel Danieli, Palazzina G, Boscolo Bielo, Prosecco DOC, and ABC Zattere, with technical sponsors Alilaguna, Assonautica, Bellini Canella, MureaDritta, Panfido, Select and VYP.
