«Every voyage at sea begins in a place worth returning to».
Aboard Shockwave³
And here we are, on the sleek stern of Shockwave³, as Trieste prepares for one of the most spectacular events on the international sailing calendar: the 58th Barcolana. We are in the Gulf of Trieste, a blue expanse that becomes an immense stage at this time of year, as thousands of boats gather to celebrate their passion for sailing.
Beneath our feet is a true thoroughbred of the sea. Prosecco DOC Shockwave³ is a 90-foot maxi yacht, built entirely from carbon fibre, designed by Reichel-Pugh Yacht Design and constructed in 2002 at Australia’s McConaghy Boats yard. Her length of 27.43 metres, 5.58-metre beam and 38-metre mast tell their own story: speed, lightness and performance. Originally named Alfa Romeo I and commissioned by New Zealand owner Neville Crichton, she has collected more than eighty victories in international competition, making her mark in legendary races including the Sydney–Hobart, Giraglia, Fastnet, Middle Sea Race and Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup. This distinguished sporting story continues to unfold in the Mediterranean and Adriatic under the colours of Prosecco DOC Shockwave³, with owner Claudio Demartis and co-owner Pompeo Tria.
The 2026 season has been particularly successful: victory in the Brindisi–Corfu race, accompanied by a new race record, line honours in the Aegean 600, and wins in the Trofeo Due Castelli and Trofeo Bernetti. That record makes our experience aboard all the more compelling.
Meanwhile, the jagged coast slips past before our eyes. The huge mainsail begins to rise, slowly unfurling towards the sky and catching the light northerly wind. It is almost hypnotic. Manoeuvres follow one another with impressive precision: everyone knows what to do, everyone knows their role. There are no wasted movements, only perfect synchronisation between people and boat. Shockwave³ seems to come alive, becoming a greyhound ready to spring across the surface of the sea. Giuseppe and Lorenzo catch my attention as they work the coffee grinder, the hand-cranked system that powers the winches used to trim the sails and requires considerable strength. I noticed them as soon as I came aboard: superbly trained physiques, clearly the result of daily effort, but above all two young men able to convey enthusiasm and good humour. They welcome me with spontaneous warmth, the kind that immediately makes it a pleasure to feel part of a close-knit crew, even for just a few hours.
In charge is Slovenian skipper Mitja Kosmina. His voice delivers precise, firm commands, and the crew responds without hesitation. I watch the coast. It is a fascinating sight, where sea meets land, history speaks to the present and every view seems to suggest a new course. From this perspective, Trieste reveals a different dimension: not merely a city facing the Adriatic, but a place deeply connected to navigation, exchange and a maritime culture stretching across the centuries.
Tomorrow is the big day. The forecast promises a light bora of between 12 and 15 knots, conditions that should make for a thrilling race. In the meantime, the adrenaline of competition is already in the air. We head back towards port and the immense mainsail is lowered. On it stands the Tivoli Hotels & Resorts name, part of a partnership with Shockwave³ Sailing Team that goes beyond brand visibility. The project is rooted in shared values: the pleasure of discovery, connections between people, a sense of belonging and the desire to create experiences that leave lasting memories. Sailing and travelling do, after all, have something in common: both require curiosity, a wish to explore and a willingness to be surprised.
Portopiccolo, time for hospitality
Founded in Lisbon in 1933, Tivoli Hotels & Resorts is an international hotel brand whose identity rests on elegance, thoughtful hospitality and a connection with its destinations. Near Trieste, that philosophy finds one of its most interesting expressions in Tivoli Portopiccolo Sistiana Wellness Resort & Spa, a five-star property overlooking the Gulf of Trieste, around eighteen kilometres from the city centre. The resort stands in Portopiccolo, a place with a distinctive history: a former stone quarry transformed into an elegant seaside village, sheltered by the spectacular cliffs of Duino. Where rock was once extracted, an intimate, atmospheric marina now welcomes yachts of up to 32 metres, offering a new way to experience a relationship with the sea.
The location is privileged, between Miramare Castle and Duino Castle, amid a striking natural landscape. Cliffs, rocky seabeds and the crystalline waters of the Adriatic create a setting whose colours and atmosphere change with the seasons. The resort’s architecture responds to the landscape and recalls Gio Ponti’s aesthetic through a contemporary language of understated elegance and attention to detail. Its 58 rooms and suites, many overlooking the marina, define a modern boutique retreat, pet-friendly and designed for those seeking a slower rhythm. Four restaurants and bars, including Ocyan restaurant and Azur Lounge Bar, shape the dining and social experience, while in summer the beach club offers four outdoor swimming pools, a restaurant and a beach bar. There is also a gym and event space, in a property that combines the intimacy of an exclusive resort with the energy of a small seaside village. More than simply a hotel destination, Portopiccolo is an invitation to pause, enjoy the luxury of time and rediscover the small moments that so often form the most precious part of a journey.
Trieste celebrates sailing
But back to the Barcolana. The port welcomes us with an extraordinary atmosphere. Trieste is celebrating: sea and city seem to merge into one great popular festival, with hundreds of events, sporting and cultural initiatives, meetings and activities across the city and Friuli Venezia Giulia. It is a celebration embracing spectators, crews and anyone wishing to experience the passion for sailing at close quarters. Among the most eagerly awaited guests is Amerigo Vespucci, the splendid training ship of the Italian Navy. Seeing her moored in Trieste is particularly moving: with her elegant lines, towering masts and history, she symbolises Italy’s maritime tradition and serves as an ambassador for the country around the world.
The race, all the way to the finish
On the morning of the race, the weather is favourable. The Gulf prepares to welcome an impressive fleet: 1,858 registered boats. Those numbers confirm the extraordinary scale of an event that has become part of international sailing history. The long-awaited moment arrives. The boats are ready, sails fill the sea and anticipation is almost palpable. Aboard Shockwave³, every movement is measured, every gaze fixed on the course. Then comes the start. Our maxi yacht gets away brilliantly. Shockwave³ accelerates decisively, making the most of the conditions. For a few moments, anything seems possible. But the race is still long, and there is no room for distraction. At the first mark, the maxi yacht ARCA SGR, skippered by Trieste’s Furio Benussi, takes the upper hand and begins to build her advantage.
From then on, the race becomes an intense contest in which every tactical choice can make a difference. ARCA SGR holds the lead and crosses the finish line first, claiming her fourth consecutive Barcolana victory. Shockwave³ takes a prestigious second place overall, ahead of an entire fleet of competitors.
You do not always have to come first to return with a great sense of achievement. Shockwave³’s second place crowns an extraordinary season and confirms the competitiveness of a crew that approached the race with determination and professionalism. Above all, what remains is the memory of a day lived from the privileged perspective of someone crossing the sea rather than merely admiring it from shore. The power of the sails, the crew’s concentration, the shifting wind and that sense of freedom that only sailing can offer. And as the celebration continues along Trieste’s waterfront, amid applause and stories of the race, a simple promise remains aboard, spoken with the ease of someone who knows certain emotions deserve to be repeated:
see you at the next Barcolana.
Sources and images: Text by Mauro Parmesani. Photo credits: Marco Valentinuzzo / Studio MAP (opening image); Alessandro Suggi / 3011 Project (team photograph); Mauro Parmesani (other images). All image rights are reserved to their respective rights holders.
