Barcolana 55 starts, in the Gulf of Trieste 1,773 sails

(ANSA) - TRIESTE, 08 OTT - Barcolana number 55, the world's largest regatta, has officially started, with 1,773 boats registered. By the third stroke of the gun, the boats headed out to sea. The weather conditions in the race course, in front of the Victory Lighthouse, are of very little wind below the coast; the boats will only find a few gusts further offshore. So a very difficult and technical regatta is expected.
    Many people are following the event from the various vantage points of the city and also from the city's Rive, where the winner will arrive for the usual lap of honor, in front of the public, before the awards ceremony.
    On the eve of the event Mitja Gialuz, president of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, which is organizing the Barcolana, stressed that "all registered crews will be protagonists of a big, gigantic celebration on land and at sea." Also present in Trieste today are two government officials.
    Francesco Lollobrigida, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, will be aboard the Super Maxi Prosecco Doc Shockwave3, while Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi will follow the event and award the winner. (ANSA).