Trofeo Porto Carlo Riva
Chestress 3 by Giancarlo Ghislanzoni is the first winner of the Trofeo Challenge Porto Carlo Riva
A perfect day for the first leg of the Trofeo Porto Carlo Riva, the new regatta organised by the Yacht Club Italiano together with Porto Carlo Riva in Rapallo and the Circolo Nautico Rapallo. No fewer than 53 yachts lined up in Genoa for the start on Saturday morning at 9:00, heading towards Rapallo. With an easterly wind of 10–12 knots, the crews were “forced” into a long upwind tack along the Gulf of Genoa and around the Portofino Promontory before entering the Gulf of Tigullio. After the theoretical 14-mile course, the first to cross the finish line was Marco Rodolfi’s large Swan 90 Berenice Cubed, after 2h34m of racing (topping the Libera Maxi standings). In the Libera Mini division, victory went to Alessandro Agosta’s Tofinou 12 Grazia, while in corrected time (ORC) the leader was the J/122 Chestress 3 by Giancarlo Ghislanzoni. In the double-handed division, first place went to Alberto Magnani’s Swan 45 Tengher (with co-skipper Mario Rabbò), who also finished second overall.
A superb welcome awaited everyone at the Porto di Rapallo, now fully restored and back to full operational capacity. The welcome cocktail hosted by the O’Magazìn restaurant was particularly appreciated, offering crews a delightful evening atmosphere.
If Saturday brought near-perfect conditions, Sunday saw the wind keep everyone waiting – despite forecasts of strong Scirocco – while the rain arrived right on schedule, lasting the entire day. At 9:30, the Race Committee managed to give the start in very light winds, with the fleet leaving Rapallo bound for Genoa. Before long, the larger yachts managed to pick up fresher air off the Portofino headland and stretched ahead of the fleet, which later regrouped in the Gulf of Genoa due to a drop in wind. After about half an hour, with a 90° shift, the breeze returned, allowing everyone to reach the finish line. A fine real-time duel unfolded between the Swan 90 Berenice Cubed and the Frers 53 Moonshine, with the former crossing less than two minutes ahead. With the first boat finishing after 3h49m of racing, the standings for the two classes — ORC and Libera — took shape.
In the Libera Mini group, Alessandro Agosta’s Grazia confirmed its win. Among the Maxis, victory again went to Marco Rodolfi’s Berenice Cubed. In the ORC division, victory went to YCI member Giancarlo Ghislanzoni’s J/122 Chestress 3, which therefore wins the Trofeo Challenge Porto Carlo Riva, awarded to the yacht with the lowest combined corrected time across the two races.
The first edition concluded with the prize-giving ceremony at the Yacht Club Italiano headquarters and a “see you next year” for the April 2026 edition.
The regatta is organised by the Yacht Club Italiano in collaboration with Porto Carlo Riva in Rapallo and the Circolo Nautico Rapallo.
