The big sail stars in the Bacino di San Marco

The fourth Venice Hospitality Challenge, the regatta for maxi yachts matched with luxury hotels, was a complete success on Saturday 14 October, won by the Spirit of Portopiccolo, thus repeating its success in the Barcolana. The race course was picturesque: San Marco-Lido-Giudecca-San Marco. Furio Benussi at the helm of the 87 foot maxi with carbon hull and canting keel designed by Rachel & Puig led the team to victory, writes the Nuova Venezia. The Ca’ Sagredo hotel also won the trophy for the second time, to the great satisfaction of its general manager Lorenza Lain. The prize-giving held along the Vyp quay at the Zattere in a festive atmosphere was a great show. Mirko Sguario, who conceived the event and is chairman of the Venice yacht club, greeted the competitors and thanked all those who had made it possible. The ‘Veleziana’ was held the next day, organised by the Compagnia della Vela, though disrupted by the fog. The Slovenian maxi yacht Mitja Kosmina won this for the third time in a row, once again showing that it is the boat most suited to the insidious course drawn up entirely within the waters of the Venice lagoon.