Vaurien, the historical dinghy that brings back the purity of sailing

From July 13 to 19 in the waters of Bracciano (Rome) the 2025 World Championship dedicated to the Vaurien takes place. A prestigious and extremely competitive event, however, which takes place under the banner of a spirit that rewards sailing that is authentic, knowledgeable and open to all.

In our lives saturated with frenetic rhythms, technological applications that decide for us and virtual relationships grafted solely on “likes,” we sometimes feel the need to return to the essentials, cultivate concrete relationships with people and things, and reconsider our deepest values, including the time we devote to ourselves and our passions. It also applies to sailing, where it is no coincidence that in recent times we are beginning to talk about “slow yachting.” What does it mean? That today in spite of technological opportunities, performance “tout court,” the gigantism of boats, those who frequent this world try to slow down, downshift gears. How? For example, choosing freer and more conscious sailing, authentic sea experiences, fellow travelers who are not just “followers,” and above all, boats that can restore the purity of sailing.

This new spirit pervades the sailing events themselves, from ocean racing with mini-cabin boats to championships reserved for those historic classes that are still appreciated and remain remarkably relevant today. Such is the case with the Vaurien, the marvelous and super-spartan dinghy designed by Jean-Jacques Herbulot in 1951 and immediately adopted by the Glénans, the “Two Horses” of the sea that popularized sailing around the world and that today, years later, is still more alive than ever with thousands of admirers of all ages. And it is precisely this historic little boat, an icon of going to sea, that is the protagonist of a major all-Italian event: the 2025 World Championship to be staged this summer, July 13-19, on Lake Bracciano (Rome).

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A World Cup open to all, such is sailing

The event, organized by the AS Vaurien Italia International Sailing Class, embodies the new “slow” spirit for so many reasons. First, it will be an “Open” event, meaning it is open to both professional athletes and simple amateurs, ages 13 to 65. About 90 male, female and mixed crews from 14 nations and 4 continents are expected. There will even be crews from Angola and Uruguay, as well as the usual French, Spanish, German and Dutch. “The Italian boats will be about 40,” speaches Roberto Franchini, president of the Italian class, “with almost half of the racers in the Juniores category, boys and girls who even if they sail more modern classes, such as the 29er, find in Vaurien the pleasure of learning the fundamentals of sailing. Just like the Seniors who practice on the high seas, but always love to return every now and then aboard this classic dinghy.” In short, it will be a Worlds under the banner of maximum inclusion.

And then it will certainly be a week of high-level regattas, healthy competitiveness, tight duels, but also a lot of conviviality, meetings and sharing. It is enough to mention two moments strongly desired by the organizers and which are a corollary to the water trials and the fight for the prestigious world title.

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The noble charm of wooden Vauriens

The first event is the “Vaurien Wooden Experience” dedicated to all historic wooden Vauriens. It is a kind of homage to the Vaurien as it was born over 60 years ago, a boat conceived and built in a noble, elegant and extremely living material. Wood that represents the recovery doi this “legacy” linked to the purity and essentiality of sailing, as well as to seafaring wisdom. The program includes a sail of the historic boats and then a real test between the buoys on the same race course where the World Championship will be held. Both will be scheduled during times that will not engage the crews in “official” trials, such as the days of tacks and the opening day, July 13 and 14.

All wooden Vauriens, both those entered in the Worlds and free ones, so even boats with the original sail plan can participate in the two events. All participants of the “Vaurien Wooden Experience” will also be guests at the Gala Dinner at the end of the World Championship awards ceremony.

Great champions who come from the Vaurien tribe

The other moment that transcends the competition will be the “Vaurien Talks and Stories,” events scheduled for the evening of July 17 that will involve top personalities from the sailing world meeting to talk about the future of Vaurien class sailing. After all, there are many Olympic-level camions close to the class and who have Vaurien in their hearts. These meetings, moreover, will be streamed online with simultaneous translation.

To experience today a boat like the Vaurien and competitions like the World Championship is in no way a nostalgia operation or a praise of “vintage,” as it is fashionable. It is simply a matter of becoming part of a true and large sailing community that lives its passion for sailing in a healthy and conscious way and seeks to rediscover its values of authenticity and purity far from the virtual hubbub, the easy “clicks,” and the “hit and run” experiences that at sea leave time to be found. Long live sailing, long live Vaurien!

Lake Bracciano, a magical location

We look forward to seeing you all from July 13 to 19 on Lake Bracciano, north of Rome, with its elegant and evocative natural scenery surrounding a wide stretch of water about 6 kilometers long. On these shores for years there have been dozens of resident sailing clubs organizing national and international regattas. Hosting the Vaurien Worlds is the Centro Vela Bracciano, one of the most active on the lake and home to the Olympic 470 class. “We are hosting the Vaurien Worlds in this beautiful natural park because sailing also means respecting the environment and the territory, which then means respecting others, These values have always been in the soul of the Vaurien,” says Daniele Catalani, President of Centro Vela Bracciano.

As a reminder, the Vaurien 2025 World Championship is organized by the AS Vaurien Italia International Sailing Class, in collaboration with the Lazio Region, the Municipality of Bracciano, the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, the Municipality of Anguillara Sabazia, the Municipality of Trevignano and the Bracciano-Martignano Park Authority. Il Giornale della Vela is media partner of the event and will accompany you in the story of this straordianria experience of sailing and passion. Happy Vaurien to all!