The City of Venice Sailing Grand Prix.
The 13th edition of the Venice Hospitality Challenge – City of Venice Sailing Grand Prix was officially presented in the prestigious setting of Palazzo Dandolo Farsetti, which this year celebrates its bicentenary as the seat of Venice City Hall (1826–2026).
The press conference was attended by the Mayor of Venice, Simone Venturini; Mirko Sguario, President of the Yacht Club Venezia; Sebastiano Costalonga, Councillor for Commercial Activities; Fabrizio D’Oria, General Manager of Vela spa; and lawyer Francesco Barotti, Advisor to the Fondazione Scuola Piccola Zattere. The highlight of the event will take place on Saturday, 17 October. Following the departure of the yachts from the Arsenale in the late morning, the water jets of the Panfido tugboats and the banner bearing the Lion of Saint Mark will signal the start of the race at 2:30 p.m. One of the major innovations of this edition is the return to a single start for the entire fleet: all yachts will cross the starting line simultaneously, offering spectators a spectacular sight as the skippers battle for the lead from the very first metres. As always, the racecourse will be set entirely within the waters of Venice, offering sailing enthusiasts and spectators privileged viewing points along the shores of the St Mark’s Basin, from Punta della Dogana to the Zattere waterfront. To date, 15 maxi yachts have confirmed their participation. They will be moored at the historic Arsenale thanks to the close collaboration between the Yacht Club Venezia and the Venice Boat Show.
The awards ceremony will take place at approximately 5:30 p.m. at the VYP quay on the Zattere waterfront. The winners will receive the traditional Doge’s Hat Trophy, beautifully crafted by Mattia Nasta of the Murano glassworks Fornace Orovetro. In addition to the category awards, a special prize presented by Confindustria Veneto will also be awarded. The evening will conclude with a gala dinner at the Fondazione Scuola Piccola Zattere. The event programme will begin on the morning of Friday, 16 October, with the “Piccoli Marinai” (Little Sailors) project, organised in collaboration with the North Adriatic Sea Port Authority and the historic Fondazione Querini Stampalia. A total of 87 fifth-grade pupils from the “Filippo Grimani” Comprehensive School in Marghera will take part in a special educational experience dedicated to Venice’s culture and heritage, entitled “A Bordo della Storia”. The programme will begin with an exploration of the history of Venetian boats through the centuries, offering an opportunity to discover the city and its unique relationship with water. Historical sources, documents and accounts of trade, traditional crafts, festivities and customs will provide a fascinating insight into Venice’s past while encouraging reflection on its present. The children will then participate in educational workshops on sailing and knot-tying at the Fondazione Scuola Piccola Zattere, before visiting the maxi yachts at the Arsenale and listening to stories and experiences shared by expert sailors. In the afternoon, the race office will open at the Arsenale for the finalisation of registrations and the collection of crew clothing produced by Energia Pura from recycled PET bottles. This will be followed by the skippers’ briefing and a crew cocktail reception at the Galeazze.
The Venice Hospitality Challenge also renews its commitment to social responsibility by supporting “Ottobre Rosa” (Pink October), the breast cancer awareness campaign. All contributions made by guests sailing aboard the Yacht Club Venezia’s hospitality yacht will be donated in full to LILT (Italian League Against Cancer).
After thanking the authorities, Mirko Sguario, President of the Yacht Club Venezia, stated: “The Venice Hospitality Challenge is a great opportunity to raise awareness among sailing enthusiasts and the wider public of a truly unique spectacle, taking place in the very heart of the Serenissima: the city’s Sailing Grand Prix, reminiscent of the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix.”
Simone Venturini, Mayor of Venice, emphasised: “I would like to thank Mirko Sguario for his extraordinary dedication and his ongoing commitment to our city and its traditions. The idea of bringing the beauty of magnificent sailing yachts to a stage that is unique in the world, on a racecourse presenting enormous technical challenges, has now become a much-anticipated event for both Venetians and visitors.” Fabrizio D’Oria, General Manager of Vela spa, commented: “The Venice Hospitality Challenge has become one of the most eagerly awaited sporting events on the Venetian calendar, combining excellence in sailing with the uniqueness of a setting renowned throughout the world. We are delighted to support an event that, beyond its sporting significance, also represents an important opportunity to promote and enhance the local area. The Venice Hospitality Challenge also marks a symbolic step towards the seventh edition of the Venice Boat Show, scheduled to take place from 26 to 30 May 2027, further confirming Venice’s position as one of the world’s leading centres for the boating industry.”
The Venice Hospitality Challenge is an official event of Autunno Veneziano (Venetian Autumn) and is held under the patronage of the Veneto Region, the City of Venice, the Venice Boat Show, Vela spa, Confindustria Veneto, and the North Adriatic Sea Port Authority. Institutional sponsors include the Fondazione Querini Stampalia, which since 1869 has promoted “the pursuit of sound scholarship and useful disciplines”, the Fondazione Scuola Piccola Zattere, and Fornace Orovetro. Sponsors: Boscolo Bielo, Bortoli Assicurazioni, Bellini, Select, Valverde-Mood, Energia Pura, Romital.
