Ice Yachts triumphed at the 56th edition of the Barcolana, held last Sunday, October 13, in the Gulf of Trieste. The world’s most crowded sailing regatta saw the Salvirola-based shipyard claim first place in its class and third overall, with the boat helmed by the “Nice Fiamme Gialle” team. This prestigious result is the outcome of months of preparation, dedication, and passion from the entire team, which faced the challenges of such a renowned competition with great skill and team spirit, as well as thanks to the exceptional performance of Ice Yachts’ laboratory boat. “This is a historic racing boat that we refitted and use as a test platform for new materials and to expand our presence in regattas, aiming to reach new markets – commented Marco Malgara, CEO of Ice Yachts, who celebrates this great victory as a significant image boost for his shipyard.
“It was a great race, and the team performed extraordinarily well – Malgara continued. – Participating in the Barcolana is an incredibly exciting experience, and winning it is even more so. It is the world’s top sailing event, with an incredible number of boats”. Barcolana 2024 saw the participation of 1,757 boats and thousands of sailors from around the world. The variable weather conditions made the competition even more thrilling, with winds testing the navigation and strategy skills of every crew. Despite the challenges, the “Nice Fiamme Gialle” team demonstrated great resilience and readiness, surpassing fierce competitors.
“For Ice Yachts, Barcolana 2024 marked the beginning of our collaboration with the Fiamme Gialle – Malgara emphasized – Almost by chance, while talking with the general command, which was looking for something special for the final event of the 250th anniversary celebrations of the Guardia di Finanza, a joint venture was born. This led us to create a dream team that worked together as if it were a single entity. This allowed us to achieve an extraordinary performance. The pressure was sky-high, but we managed to deliver the best possible result”.
The entire team, supported by Brigadier General Antonio Appella and Marco Malgara, expertly managed the various phases of the regatta. Technical preparation and team cohesion were key elements that contributed to this success. The choice of maneuvers, optimization of trajectories, and the ability to quickly adapt to changing wind conditions made all the difference. As helmsman Paolo Cian explained: “The team was stellar; every decision we made was the right one, and we managed to push the boat to its maximum potential. I must congratulate my crew. For me, it was easy to lead the race because, thanks to all these Olympic sailors who can instantly understand what the boat needs, I simply focused on steering while they made the boat perform at 110%”.
The “Nice Fiamme Gialle” team is already looking ahead, with plans to participate in new competitions and continue growing in the sailing world in collaboration with Ice Yachts. Barcolana 2024 was a formative experience that strengthened the bonds among team members and paved the way for new opportunities.
