Millevele IREN 2025 - Prize-giving Ceremony

Genoa, September 21, 2025 – After yesterday’s spectacular sailing event, which brought 214 boats to sea, the award ceremony of the 37th edition of the Millevele IREN took place this morning at 11:00 on the terrace of the Blue Pavilion at the 65th Genoa International Boat Show. The event is organized by the Yacht Club Italiano with the support of title sponsor IREN.

The ceremony, hosted by Michele Corti and preceded by the screening of the official race video, featured speeches by the President of the Yacht Club Italiano, Carlo Cameli; the President of IREN, Luca Dal Fabbro; and the CEO of IREN, Gianluca Bufo, joined by YCI Vice Presidents Nicolò Caffarena and Gregorio Gavarone, and the Sports Director, Alberto Magnani.

“This edition,” said Carlo Cameli, President of the Yacht Club Italiano, “once again demonstrates the power of sailing as a sport that unites tradition, passion, and innovation — bringing together owners, crews, sponsors, and institutions in one great celebration of the sea and the city of Genoa.”

Marco Bucci, President of the Liguria Region, emphasized that “the conclusion of the Millevele regatta during the Boat Show represents the most authentic and captivating image of Genoa and Liguria: a land that lives with the sea, draws work, innovation, and culture from it, and finds in it its greatest beauty.”

Silvia Salis, Mayor of Genoa, noted: “Even with light wind, yesterday was a wonderful day. Seeing Genoa from the sea is always an incredible emotion.” During the ceremony, she also proposed a “sailing combination” between Millevele and Barcolana, modeled after athletics’ Diamond League, with a special trophy to be awarded in Trieste at the end of the Barcolana to sailors competing in both regattas.

Piero Formenti, President of Confindustria Nautica, added: “For Confindustria Nautica, it is a privilege to host the Millevele during the Boat Show. It completes what we do — because in the end, boats are made to go to sea, and Millevele is an extraordinary showcase in this sense. This year, while the regatta was underway, we experienced a moment of great significance for sailing: the signing of the agreement between Confindustria Nautica and America’s Cup Events, making us strategic partners of the 2027 Naples event. The fact that this announcement took place during Millevele gave the event even greater prominence. My hope is that Millevele continues to grow. Our goal is ambitious — to make the Genoa Boat Show number one in the world; today, we’re already among the top three. We hope Millevele will become Italy’s benchmark regatta.”

The social and charitable aspects of the event were also strongly felt. Lorenzo Anselmi, President of AIRC – the Italian Association for Cancer Research, noted that a significant portion of the registration fee was donated to AIRC.
A particularly emotional moment was the presentation of the new Antonio Lanza Challenge Trophy, awarded by Enrico Ciferri, President of the namesake association, to the top J/70 result. Founded in 1989 by Anna Trucco Lanza in memory of her son Antonio, the association promotes Integrated Medicine projects for patients affected by hematologic and oncologic diseases.

With the award ceremony, Millevele IREN 2025 concluded, reaffirming its status as a landmark event for both the city of Genoa and Italian sailing. The Yacht Club Italiano now looks forward to the 2026 edition, promising even more innovations and excitement.

Radio Babboleo and Primocanale, which broadcast the regatta live with a dedicated on-water team.

Thanks to its renewed connection with the Genoa International Boat Show and the support of institutions (Regione Liguria, Agenzia InLiguria, City of Genoa, Confindustria Nautica, FIV, and the clubs of FIV Zone I), Millevele IREN aims to grow further, consolidating its role as a symbol of maritime culture and as a grand celebration of sport, community, and emotion set against the magnificent backdrop of the Gulf of Genoa.