MILLEVELE IREN 2026
AWARDS CEREMONY FOR THE 38TH EDITION AT THE GENOA INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW
The 38th edition of Millevele IREN, the major sailing event organized by Yacht Club Italiano, officially concluded on Sunday morning with the awards ceremony held at the 66th Genoa International Boat Show. On September 12, the event brought together 217 boats in the Gulf of Genoa.
The awards ceremony, held at 11:00 a.m. on the Terrace of the Jean Nouvel Pavilion, brought together crews, boat owners, institutional representatives and event partners to celebrate the protagonists of an edition that once again confirmed Millevele's strong participation and its deep connection with Genoa and the sea.
A fleet of 217 boats in the Gulf of Genoa
The 38th Millevele IREN welcomed 217 boats, divided into three groups according to their length: Yellow, Green and Red.
The start, on Saturday, September 12 at 11:00 a.m., took place in a northerly wind of around 10 knots, pushing the fleet eastwards. Near the marks positioned towards Punta Chiappa, the northerly wind gradually weakened, giving way to a period of light airs. A subsequent westerly breeze accompanied the fleet back towards Genoa, before the northerly wind returned near the finish line off Boccadasse.
The first boats to cross the finish line in their respective groups were Paolo Brescia's Melges 24 Melgina, representing Yacht Club Italiano, in the Yellow Group; Claudio Terrieri's Swan 45 Blu Sky (Yacht Club Monfalcone) in the Green Group; and Stefano Brunello's Frers 60 Moonshine (Yacht Club Cortina d'Ampezzo) in the Red Group.
Winners of Millevele IREN 2026
During the ceremony, the winners of the various categories of the 38th edition were presented with their awards.
Group C – Yellow
- Category 7: Melgina – Paolo Brescia (Yacht Club Italiano)
- Category 6: Auffa – Matteo Bevilacqua (ASD Il Pontile)
- Category 5: Low Noise II – Valerio Dabove (CV Erix)
Group B – Green
- Category 4: IREN – Jack Sparrow – Iren Femminile
- Category 3: IREN – Blu Sky – TXT Ennova
- Category 2: IREN – Italica – AXPO
Group A – Red
- Category 1: Moonshine – Stefano Brunello (YC Cortina d'Ampezzo)
Trophies and races within the race
Alongside the rankings of the three main groups, Millevele IREN 2026 once again featured a series of trophies and special challenges complementing the main sailing event.
Interclub Trophy – Coppa Bartolomeo Boero
ASD Il Pontile with AUFFA, owned by Matteo Bevilacqua
Confindustria Nautica Award
Italia Yachts with Low Noise II, owned by Valerio Dabove
Grand Soleil Yachts with MIRA, owned by Fortunato Unali
Antonio Lanza Trophy – J/70
YCI 2 – Marco Cravario
Millevele Classic – YCI Heritage Genova 2026 Trophy
Zest – Francesco Foppiano
Among the highlights of this edition was a new challenge between Yacht Club Italiano and Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano. The two clubs competed in Genoa aboard YCI's J/70s with mixed crews, with Yacht Club Italiano winning the first match. The challenge will continue in Trieste during the Barcolana, where the second leg will take place.
Millevele and solidarity
In 2026, Millevele IREN once again combined sport with an important charitable initiative. Fondazione Gaslininsieme ETS, the event's Charity Partner, supported this edition with the aim of contributing to the Nuovo Gaslini project and the future of the Giannina Gaslini Institute.
This commitment to the local community reflects the spirit of Millevele: an event open to crews, families and sailing enthusiasts, bringing together sport, the sea and community participation.
See you on September 11, 2027
The awards ceremony at the Genoa International Boat Show officially marked the conclusion of Millevele IREN 2026.
The 217 boats that took part in the 38th edition once again transformed the Gulf of Genoa into a celebration of sailing, confirming Millevele as one of the most popular events on Yacht Club Italiano's calendar.
The next edition is already scheduled for Saturday, September 11, 2027, when Millevele IREN will return to the Gulf of Genoa for its 39th edition, renewing its strong connection with the Genoa International Boat Show.
Millevele IREN 2026 Partners
Title Partner: Iren Luce Gas e Servizi
Technical Partners: Banca Passadore, B&G, North Sails, 66th Genoa International Boat Show, Veneziani Yachting
Charity Partner: Fondazione Gaslininsieme ETS
Under the Patronage of: Regione Liguria, Agenzia InLiguria, Comune di Genova and Confindustria Nautica
