Barcolana 58, Marta 07 awarded the Generali Women in Sailing Trophy

More than 1,850 boats took part in the 58th Barcolana Autumn Cup, once again confirming Trieste as the world capital of sailing. Arca SGR of the Fast and Furio Sailing Team won the race, while Marta 07, helmed by Marta Benussi, secured third place overall on the podium.

The sixth edition of the Generali Women in Sailing Trophy was awarded to Marta Benussi and the mixed crew of Marta 07. The Trophy recognises the first mixed team to complete the Barcolana with a woman in a leadership role on board.

The Trophy is one of the initiatives through which Generali promotes diversity, equity and inclusion through sport, supporting female participation in sailing and encouraging the spread of mixed crews among younger generations. As in previous editions, the winner will receive a personalised coaching and leadership programme developed by the Generali Excellence Academy, in addition to the glass artwork created by Barovier.

Generali Chairman, Andrea Sironi, said: “This has been an extraordinary Barcolana. A true celebration of the sea that Generali has proudly supported for more than forty years. Barcolana continues to be an outstanding symbol of participation, inclusion and community spirit. We are proud to be part of it and to support a movement that, through sport, demonstrates how collaboration can transform individual talent into shared success. I would like to congratulate Marta Benussi, winner of the Women in Sailing Trophy, and her team. Through this award, we aim to recognise not only sporting excellence, but also the contribution women make to innovation, leadership and the creation of more inclusive communities. The sea teaches us that every step forward comes from the balance between experience and innovation, between individual preparation and collective commitment.”

Launched in 2019 within the Barcolana with the aim of encouraging mixed sailing teams among young people, the Women in Sailing by Generali and Barcolana project has become a tangible programme to increase the number of women in decision-making roles on board and foster a more inclusive sporting culture. In 2026, the project achieved an important milestone: the educational toolkit developed through the initiative will become part of the training programmes for second- and third-level coaches of the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV).

During this time, the project has involved more than 250 athletes, 70 coaches and numerous sailing clubs, developing tools and educational content for coaches, instructors and young sailors to support the growth of mixed crews and promote a more open and participatory sporting culture.

The 2026 edition also featured the Women in Sailing by Generali Regatta, dedicated to mixed crews and exceptionally held on Saturday morning. Alongside the Generali Women in Sailing Trophy awarded during the Autumn Cup, the regatta represents one of the most significant moments of the project, which was created to encourage a greater presence of women in leadership roles within sailing teams.

Inclusion and community were at the centre of the activities promoted by The Human Safety Net, foundation supporting vulnerable families with young children and fostering the integration of refugees through work and entrepreneurship. At the Generali area in Piazza Unità d'Italia, workshops and activities for children and families were organised together with the Centre for Children's Health (CSB), with the support of Generali volunteers.

For more than forty years, Generali has supported Barcolana as the event's presenting sponsor, sharing its commitment to promoting sport as a driver of participation, inclusion and personal growth. Through initiatives such as Women in Sailing and the activities of The Human Safety Net, the Group continues to support projects that create value for local communities and the wider area.