The traditional Historical Regata, the “Formula 1” of rowing and the flagship event of the Venetian community that makes rowing its passion and philosophy of life was held in Venice. This edition is dedicated to the racer Palmiro Fongher, who passed away recently.

The Historical Regatta of Venice is one of the oldest events in the city. Thousands of people have flocked to the Grand Canal to watch the Regata Storica, the historic race held on the first Sunday of September every year since the 13th century in Venice, an Italian city famous for its water canals. The parade, which took place before the start of the races, was a colourful scene every year.

The event—which has taken place on the first Sunday of September since the Second World War, organised by Vela Spa on behalf of the Municipality of Venice—was kicked off by a spectacular historical procession to recall the episode of the bride of the King of Cyprus with Caterina Cornaro, played by Venetian actress Debora Caprioglio, who renounced the throne in favour of Venice. As per tradition, the Grand Canal was filled with 130 historic boats, parade boats, and the Serenissima with trumpeters and costumed figures.

For the second year, the crew composed of Matteo Zaniol and Nicolò Trabuio won the red flag in the two-oared Gondolini category; of the Women on two-oared mascara, the multiple queens of the oar Luisella Schiavon with her daughter Lara Vignotto; of the Giovanissimi on two-oared pupparini was the crew composed of Samuele Smerghetto and Alessandro Nardin; of the Giovanissime it was the mascara with the twins Teresa and Angela Pinzan on board; of the six-oared Caroline the light blue with Roberto Busetto, Nicolò Schiavon, Renato Busetto, Fabio Donà, Mattia Baldin and Andrea Rosin on board.

The historical races of the Historical Regatta are made up of two parts. While the historic gondolas (Gondolini) compete in the first part, rowing competitions occur in the other. The historical races are held in memory of Queen Caterina Cornaro, wife of the King of Cyprus, who came to Venice in 1489 to give the city the throne. The races, in which four teams wear 15th-century Venetian dress and compete fiercely in historic, same-century rowing boats, draw fans to Venice every year on the first Sunday in September.