In the heart of the wonderful and superb city of Venice that the whole world envies and where the people have an almost symbiotic relationship with the sea that surrounds it, is located the Yacht Club Venezia, a name known to sportspeople and sailing enthusiasts all over the world.
Located in the historic building where once the “Gallette” was produced for the fleet of the Serenissima. Inside the Marina Sant’Elena, the only marina located in the historic centre of Venice, the Yacht Club Venezia was born from an idea of Mirko Sguario, who aims to bring the excellence of sailing and its significant following in the heart of the Serenissima.
Sguario soon becomes an important reference point in the organization of major events. His first event in 1993, the regatta for couples “HIM and HER”, proved to be a real triumph. It aimed to involve as many people of all ages, sailors or not, attracting both newcomers and owners, who used to use the boat only for pleasure, to the race circuit. “HIM and HER” became a success destined to grow and break every record, year after year until reaching the record number of 136 boats in the 2000 edition.
His skills, knowledge and quality as an excellent organizer led him over the years to collect one success after another as for example the Cooking Cup. The Cup was born from an innovative concept that combined the race with the preparation of a dish in the galley onboard. And more as the Aquileone Race, the Sci-Vela, another premiere in the Veneto region that was expanded with the speciality of golf.
This is how “Golf Vela Sciando” was born, another success with hundreds of participants of all ages and with famous champions such as Bruno Alberti and Cristian Ghedina, who participated in the 2009 edition, also as testimonials of a humanitarian project.
Subsequently with the X-Yacht Adriatic Cup, Sguario brings the most technological and performing boats to Venice. Experience and expertise led him to become a leading light in the racing world, so much so that in 2006 he was called to the direction of the International Boat Show in Venice to take care of the sports events.
Among the new challenges, Sguario wanted to bring vintage sails back to Venice, finding a great ally in the Consulate of the Principality of Monaco in Venice: this is how the Monaco Trophy was born, in its seventh edition in 2019.
When Stefano Costantini inaugurated the Marina Sant’Elena in 2014, Mirko Sguario sensed the possibility of organizing a great regatta like never before seen in Venice. The Venice Hospitality Challenge was born, a race by invitation only for Maxi yachts, each one combined with a 5-star luxury Venetian hotel.
The Venice Hospitality Challenge is the only regatta in the world that takes place in an urban itinerary such as the F1 Grand Prix of Montecarlo. Every year, the Venice Hospitality Challenge sees internationally renowned boats and skippers battle to win the coveted Doge’s hat, specially made by historic Murano glassworks.
Spectacularity is always in the first place: the race course takes place in front of “Piazza San Marco” and when the fleet arrives in “Canale della Giudecca”, which is less than 250 metres wide at its narrowest point, the public is always in suspense. Last year’s 6th edition of the Venice Hospitality Challenge saw no less than fourteen Maxi Yachts lined up on the starting line and victory went to Way of Life – The Gritti Palace, helmed by Slovenian skipper Gaspar Vincec.
With events like this, Venice confirms itself as an extraordinary city, a world reference point that pushes to more and more complex challenges but that in the end, rewards with unforgettable emotions.
Enjoy even more @ Yacht Club Venice
Photo by Matteo Bertolin
Edit by Stefania Abbruzzo