Nastro Rosa Tour 2026 - Vieste day 3
A regatta dominated by uncertain weather, where tactics and mental endurance made the difference right down to the final meter. The offshore leg from Cattolica to Vieste, serving as the second act of the prestigious Giro d’Italia Vela 2026 – the flagship event of the Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour circuit – provided a finale worthy of the best sporting thrillers, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the break of dawn.
A calm channel for the Figaro 3s
The approximately 180 nautical miles separating Romagna from Gargano proved to be a veritable light-wind trap for the ten competing crews. The Aeolus was far from generous, forcing the sailors aboard the high-performance Bénéteau Figaro 3 one-design boats into a constant and exhausting hunt for light air. Despite adverse weather conditions and a slow pace due to calm seas, the athletes never gave up, turning the race into a tense battle of nerves and constant changes of pace.
Night sprint: the Italian Air Force seals the feat
The timing verdict arrived in the dead of night. Planting the flag of victory at the finish line in Puglia at 4:20 AM was the Italian Air Force duo, expertly led by Giancarlo Simeoli and Niccolò Bertola. The real news, however, lies in the mere millimeter gap that characterized the entire fleet's finish. In just twenty-three minutes, all ten boats completed the Adriatic transatlantic flight, with the last vessel crossing the line at 4:43 AM. Such a close-knit group after so many miles is a clear testament to the extremely high and consistent technical level of this edition's participants.
On the podium, just behind the winners, were Angelica Monti and Carlo Barbieri, representing CN Sanbenettese, who earned a splendid silver medal. Rounding out the leading trio were Polish athletes Kups and Koczorowski, who, with their Team Poland, snatched a valuable third place.
From long distances to coastal acrobatics
With the offshore effort behind them, the spotlight immediately shifted to the spectacular InShore events. The natural setting of Vieste saw the flying boats take to the water, with Waszp and WingFoil specialists ready to battle it out just off the coast. The athletes took to the race course by mid-morning, around 11:10 a.m. Once again, the wind initially proved timid and light, forcing organizers and racers to cross their fingers in the hope of a strengthening temperature that would allow the boards and dinghies to lift on their foils and put on the usual high-speed show.
The party continues on land: the Sailing Village opens
While the battle for every knot of speed is raging at sea, the mainland has already begun to welcome tourists and onlookers. The port of Vieste has been transformed into the beating heart of the event thanks to the construction of the Sailing Village. The area is not only a logistical hub for the teams, but also a true gathering space open to the public. For the entire duration of the stage, the village promises to liven up the evenings on the Gargano with a packed program, ranging from live shows and DJ sets for the younger crowds, to open-air film screenings and meetings with the protagonists of the sea.
Text Credit: Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour
Photo Credit: Filippo Federici
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