Press Release – June 30, 2026
IMPERIA GETS READY TO CELEBRATE THE QUEENS OF THE SEA
The event doubles its appeal for its 40th Anniversary Celebration by hosting the 12 Metre World Championship
Mauro Pelaschier, one of Italy’s greatest sailing legends, appointed Ambassador of Imperia Sailing Week 2026
Imperia, June 30, 2026 – Tradition, history and passion for the sea return to the Blue Flag city of Imperia with Vele d’Epoca di Imperia, the prestigious classic yacht event organised by the City of Imperia and Assonautica Imperia, with the support of Yacht Club Imperia and Yacht Club Sanremo. The event will take place along Calata Anselmi from 28 August to 6 September 2026.
Excitement is building throughout the sailing world as the event celebrates its 40th Anniversary with an expanded programme both on the water and ashore. To mark this important milestone, Vele d’Epoca di Imperia will host the 12 Metre World Championship, bringing together the legendary yachts that competed for the America’s Cup between 1958 and 1987.
Just one year before the America’s Cup in Naples, the races in Imperia will revive the unforgettable atmosphere of the historic challenges of Newport and Fremantle while also celebrating the partnership between the Bagnoli Sea Museum, the Galata Museo del Mare in Genoa and the Naval Museum of Imperia. This collaboration was established to promote Italy’s edition of the world’s oldest international sporting trophy, the America’s Cup.
The result is Imperia Sailing Week 2026, a unique celebration of sailing, maritime heritage and classic yachting. Longer than previous editions, the event has been designed to engage both passionate sailors and the wider public. The programme opens with the 12 Metre World Championship from 28 August to 1 September, followed by the traditional gathering of the world’s most beautiful classic yachts, concluding on 6 September.
The 40th Anniversary will also be celebrated with an exceptional ambassador: Mauro Pelaschier.
Best known as the helmsman of Azzurra during Italy’s first America’s Cup campaigns, Pelaschier has enjoyed more than fifty years of success, from Olympic classes to around-the-world sailing. One of the most respected figures in Italian sailing, he will serve as the official ambassador of the Mediterranean’s leading classic yachting event, promoting its values among enthusiasts and professionals alike.
The fleet itself promises to be extraordinary.
Among the confirmed entries is Aria, the multiple award-winning 8 Metre built in 1935 by the Costaguta Shipyard in Genoa Voltri for owner Serena Galvani Seràgnoli. The same shipyard also built Italia, the 8 Metre that won Olympic Gold for Italy at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games.
The legendary Kookaburra II, owned by Patrizio Bertelli, Chairman of Prada and patron of Luna Rossa, has also confirmed her participation. Crowned 12 Metre World Champion in 2024, she will undoubtedly be one of the stars of the event.
Among the oldest yachts in the fleet will be Nin, a 13-metre yacht designed by Jean Quernel and launched in 1913, while Cambria, designed by William Fife in 1928, will be the largest yacht attending, measuring approximately 40 metres overall.
Another welcome return is Manitou (Sparkman & Stephens, 1937), a long-time favourite at Imperia that was absent from the 2024 and 2025 editions.
One of the highlights of the anniversary celebrations will be the return of the training ship Palinuro, moored alongside the classic yachts and open to visitors throughout the event.
Built in France in 1934 and acquired by the Italian Navy in 1950, Palinuro participated in the very first edition of Vele d’Epoca di Imperia and now returns to celebrate this important anniversary.
The Italian Navy has always played a central role in the event. Beyond its operational support, it regularly participates with officers and cadets from the Italian Naval Academy, sailing aboard some of the most iconic yachts in Italian maritime history.
“Vele d’Epoca is a true jewel for our city,” said Claudio Scajola, Mayor of Imperia. “It is an elegant and prestigious event that brings great honour to our community, which is why it is so deeply appreciated by everyone here. For this 40th Anniversary we wanted to make the celebration even bigger by extending the programme and hosting the 12 Metre World Championship before the traditional gathering of classic yachts. These yachts wrote some of the greatest chapters in America’s Cup history more than forty years ago. This new addition also strengthens the connection between Imperia’s sailing clubs and Naples, future host city of the America’s Cup. We are equally honoured to welcome Mauro Pelaschier as ambassador of this special edition. He is a true icon of Italian sailing and perfectly represents the values that Vele d’Epoca di Imperia promotes around the world.”
“Returning to Imperia, where I trained as a young sailor before my first Olympic Games, is truly emotional,” said Mauro Pelaschier. “Like the classic yacht fleet, I was born before the age of plastic, so I have always shared a deep connection with wooden boats. Becoming ambassador of the 40th Anniversary of Vele d’Epoca means helping to spread a message of authenticity and timeless values that both the sea and sport can offer. I hope more and more people, especially younger generations, will rediscover them. The sea is not only a natural arena for sport but also an economic resource capable of creating new professional opportunities.”
“For such an important edition, we started our promotional and communication activities earlier than ever before,” explained Biagio Parlatore, President of Assonautica Imperia. “Our objectives are clear: to bring the story of the event closer to the general public while increasing registrations before the summer holidays. Today’s presentation officially marks the beginning of the organisers’ work, and I would like to thank the City of Imperia, all our institutional and sporting partners, as well as the sponsors whose support makes this event possible.”
