Furio Benussi and his Arca SGR sailing team have claimed a fourth consecutive victory in the Barcolana in Trieste, Italy, leading a fleet of 1,858 boats in one of the world's largest sailing races on Sunday, 11 October.
More than 15,000 sailors took part in the 58th edition of the event, which was sailed in sunshine and an unusual easterly Bora breeze that provided challenging tactical conditions across the Gulf of Trieste.
Benussi completed the course in one hour, five minutes and nine seconds, crossing the finish line at 11:35:09 after recovering from an electrical system failure shortly before the start.
As Afloat reported following last year's Barcolana57, Benussi previously secured his third consecutive victory ahead of his daughter Marta, with 1,865 boats taking part. This year's race was more than 38 minutes faster, with the second and third podium positions reversed.
Arca Overcomes Starting-Line Setback
The defending champion's race almost came unstuck before it properly began when an onboard systems failure left Arca stationary for about two minutes.
However, Benussi and his crew recovered to make a successful start from the middle of the line, taking advantage of their position on a starting line stretching almost three and a half kilometres.
Arca established an early advantage and rounded the first mark just 18 minutes after the start, ahead of Prosecco DOC Schockwave3 and Marta 07. The leading yacht then extended her advantage around the course, while her nearest challengers fought a close contest for second place.
Mark of Victory – A crew member aboard Furio Benussi's Arca SGR prepares the sails during a mark rounding in Trieste, where the yacht claimed its fourth consecutive Barcolana victory. Photo: Studio Borlenghi
Benussi explained that his team's starting strategy was designed to shorten the distance sailed to the opening mark.
"Our tactical decision was to start from the section of the line closest to the first mark: on a starting line almost three and a half kilometres long, that position allows you to sail around 300 metres less," he said.
The victory was particularly significant for Benussi, who was competing in his 50th Barcolana.
Close Battle for Second Place
Behind Arca, Mitja Kosmina's Prosecco DOC Schockwave3 and Marta Benussi's Marta 07 fought for the remaining podium spots.
Prosecco DOC Schockwave3 secured second place about three and a half minutes behind the winner, with Marta 07 finishing another minute and a half later.
Marta Benussi's third-place finish also earned her the Generali Women in Sailing Trophy for the second time, recognising her as the first female skipper to finish. The result added a family dimension to the occasion, with father and daughter both featuring on the podium.
Marta Benussi said the crowded starting area made the race particularly demanding, but praised her crew's composure during the contest.
"We battled with Prosecco DOC right to the end, fighting for position over the first three legs of the course," she said.
Big Sky finished fourth, followed by Manticore-Edilimpianti Trieste in fifth place.
Thousands of Sailors Complete Trieste Spectacle
While the leading yachts finished in little more than an hour, hundreds of smaller boats kept racing throughout the afternoon. The initial easterly breeze eased and shifted north-west, allowing much of the fleet to finish before the wind died away around 4 pm.
Mitja Gialuz, President of the organising Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, said the conditions contributed to an exceptional race.
"Barcolana is, above all, a celebration for everyone: while we were celebrating the first boats to finish, hundreds upon hundreds of others were still racing," he said.
The event concluded ten days of sailing activities in Trieste, with organisers already looking ahead to 2027, when Italy will also host the America's Cup in Naples.
