In less than two weeks is the VELA Cup Cala dei Sardi (Aug. 20-22). Sign up now!
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On August 21, in less than two weeks, Marina Cala dei Sardi-in the heart of the Emerald Coast-opens its doors to the VELA Cup, the regatta for all in which any boat can participate.
Organized by the Yacht Club Cala dei Sardi together with the Journal of Sailing, the VELA Cup Cala dei Sardi (Aug. 20-22, regatta Thursday, Aug. 21) is now a regular event that brings together cruising, racing and dinghy boats in a summer weekend not to be missed for any reason.
Program, route and party
The VELA Cup brings the curtain down on Wednesday, August 20 with the arrival of the boats and the finalization of registration at the VELA Cup Point set up at Marina Cala dei Sardi. Thursday 21 is the highlight day: briefing in the morning at 09:30, then off at 11:00 for one of the most beautiful courses in the Mediterranean, about ten miles around the islands of Soffi, Mortorio and Mortoriotto.
In the evening after the regatta we celebrate: aperitifs, live music, and the big prize-giving party for category winners, the most elegant boat, and even the last boat, plus lots of raffle prizes (offered by our partners) among all the crews. On Friday, August 22, you wake up for a day of pure relaxation in one of Sardinia’s magical corners, and you are ready to explore the surroundings at anchor.
The beauty of the VELA Cup is that dinghies, cruising cabin cruisers and pure racing racers, catamarans, lateen sails and classic, modern boats… with no age or experience limits can enter. You don’t need tonnage certificates or memberships: all you need is the desire to get involved and have fun among the crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Cugnana. What’s more, for those participating in the regatta, Marina Cala dei Sardi is offering two nights free mooring (subject to availability).
The boats are divided into two categories: Sport Boat, for those who want to compete with full “sailing arsenal” (Code 0, Spinnaker, Gennaker…), and Cruising Boat, designed for crews in “family & friends” formation or for those who prefer quiet sailing using only mainsail and jib. A special ranking also rewards Classic Boats (boats at least 25 years old) and remember that if your boat is registered in the Official Classic Boat Registry, participation in the VELA Cup is free for you!
The star boats: from the largest to the smallest to the “oldest” to the most…colorful!
As evidenced by the variety of entries, the Cala dei Sardi stage sees boats of all kinds and sizes on the water. We give you a few examples among the more than 30 boats already registered.
Let’s start with what is currently the queen of the stage: Antonio Bevilacqua’s 27-meter-long Wally 95 “Nina” is competing in the Sport Boat category and is the main candidate for the line honors. In the same category we also find the smallest boat among the entrants: it is one of the best performing dinghies there is, Tommaso Buzzi’s D-One “Bluto,” at only 4.23 meters long. Approximately 23 meters difference between one boat and the other, but both will have the same start and finish line, the same course and the same chances of victory thanks to the new compensation system (VELA Cup secret handicap system) with which the rankings are drawn up.
The star boat of one of the most prestigious regattas in the Mediterranean will not be missing at the start: the Swan 42 “Suspiria The Revenge” of Antonino Venneri, winner of the Giraglia and already protagonist a few weeks ago at the VELA Cup Porto Rafael.
Among the Classic Boats, Nicola Filia’s Baltic 33 “Vèlite 2,” a 1975 gem (currently the “oldest” boat entered in the regatta) will shine, competing in the Crusing Boat category, the same category in which two other Classic mythics are participating: the Swan 48 “Fotitieng” by Rosario Sciacca and the Grand Soleil 45 “Be Quiet” by Antonio Galasso, signed by the famous designer German Frers.
Instead, coloring the Sport Boat fleet will be theEryd 30 “Feu Vert II” by Lorna Jessica Gonzalez, recognizable by her green “anti-jinx” hull. Also unmissable are the veterans of the VELA Cup Cala dei Sardi, such as Fortunato Unali’s Grand Soleil 52 LC “Mira” and the Focus 750 with the more than evocative name: “The Pirate Myron,” with its owner Andrew Rippon who comes to Sardinia from Dubai especially to participate in the regatta. They will have to contend, within the Sport Boat category, with another fierce crew, that of the Grand Soleil 43 OT “Seawolf“of Daniele Carlo, who writes us “All good on Seawolf…. This is our motto!”
Also on the water in Cala dei Sardi will be the boat you will find on the cover of the August issue of the Journal of Sailing(here is the link to subscribe if you are not yet): Rodman 42 “Cheyenne” immortalized in a magical moment during the last Giraglia. In short, only yours is missing among the registered boats: sign up now!
A democratic and spectacular regatta
The secret of success? The inclusive and democratic formula, with secret rankings that really allows everyone to compete “on equal terms,” without technicalities and with a party that starts on the water and continues on land until late at night. In addition to gifts and official T-shirts, the VELA Cup rewards passion, elegance and even those who simply enjoy the sea and the most authentic Sardinia.
If you want to get out on the water-whether you are an experienced sailor, a neophyte, or an enthusiast of boats of all eras-Cala dei Sardi awaits you from August 20 to 22: sailing, nature, celebration… and a big family reunited under the sign of conviviality!
The other unmissable stages of the VELA Cup 2025
(click on the stage name for all the info and to sign up)
VELA Cup Procida
Friday, September 26 / Sunday, September 28 (regatta: Saturday, September 27)
Island of Procida, Marina di Procida
VELA Cup Sicily
Friday, October 3 / Sunday, October 5 (regatta: Saturday, October 4)
Capo d’Orlando/Eolie, Capo d’Orlando Marina
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