Hotel Excelsior wins the 11th Venice Hospitality Challenge

Venice Hospitality Challenge 2024 © Giorgio Mostarda and Marco Contessa

Hotel Excelsior, with Mitja Kosmina at the helm and Venetian owner Claudio Demartis, was the first boat to cross the finish line, winning the 2024 Venice Hospitality Challenge.

The race, which traditionally takes place on the city course of the Serenissima, from the Rive di San Marco to the Canale della Giudecca, saw the 90-foot vessel from the Yacht Club Monfalcone, boasting a record of over 90 victories in the world's most important regattas, take the lead shortly after the start. This year's edition was particularly competitive, with the fleet remaining compact through more than half of the course, partly due to the wind never exceeding five to six knots.

Due to adverse weather forecasts, the Yacht Club Venezia, in agreement with the relevant authorities, had decided in recent days to postpone the XI edition of the Venice Hospitality Challenge to Sunday, ensuring the safety of both the crews and the public during the race. The event, part of the "Le Città in Festa" program, marks the conclusion of the sailing season in the Serenissima and is included in the Venetian Autumn calendar.

Venice Hospitality Challenge 2024 - photo © Giorgio Mostarda and Marco Contessa

For the first time in the history of the Venice Hospitality Challenge, the race committee, chaired by Gianfranco Frizzarin, supported by Francesco Pappagallo, Emilia Barbieri, and Antonella Gregoris, compiled the final rankings with adjusted times according to the ORC regulations, thanks to the assistance of Nicola Sironi.

Venice Hospitality Challenge - Final Rankings:

Maxi A Regatta
Prosecco Doc Shockwave 3 - Hotel Excelsior - Mitja Kosmina
Idrusa - Alajmo Ristorante Quadri - Paolo Montefusco
Moro di Venezia - Comune di Venezia/Salone Nautico - Dudi Coletti

Maxi B Regatta
Anywave Safilens - St. Regis - Alberto Leghissa
Pegaso - Sina Centurion Hotel - Roberto Zambelli
Clean Sport One - Nolinski Venezia - Jure Orel

Maxi Cruising
Forever - Londra Palace - Francesco Manzin
Anemos II - JW Marriott - Luca Riccobon
Kiwi - Ca' di Dio/Lilt - Paolo Pesaresi

Also up for grabs was the Barcolana Venice Hospitality Trophy, a Challenge Trophy awarded for the best performances in the Barcolana Maxi Trofeo Portopiccolo and the Venice Hospitality Challenge. This year, it was won by Anywave Safilens - St. Regis, helmed by Alberto Leghissa. A noteworthy participant was Ancilla Domini - The Gritti Palace, racing for Emergency and skippered by ocean navigator Alberto Riva.

Mirko Sguario, president of the Yacht Club Venezia, stated: "This year, for the first time, it was necessary to postpone the race to Sunday. It was undoubtedly a difficult decision to make, but when the weather forecasts are unfavorable, it becomes an unavoidable choice. In agreement with the relevant authorities, we decided to delay the start to ensure the safety of the crews and provide the public with a spectacle that lived up to expectations. The last-minute challenges were many, but I am proud to have once again brought such a unique event to Venice. I would like to thank the Port Authority, the Port System Authority, the Navy, the Police, the Guardia di Finanza, the Carabinieri, the Fire Department, and everyone who contributed to the success of this event despite the numerous difficulties."

Ermelinda Damiano, president of the Venice City Council, added: "The Venice Hospitality Challenge promotes quality tourism, a shared goal for all of us. I thank Mirko Sguario for his commitment, which every year allows us to witness such a unique spectacle."

"The elite of sailing has returned to Venice, marking an important step toward the next Venice Boat Show, to be held from May 29 to June 2, 2025. Congratulations to the Yacht Club Venezia for organizing this eleventh Venice Hospitality Challenge, which was full of emotions," concluded Fabrizio D'Oria, director of the Venice Boat Show.

Sponsored by the City of Venice and the Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mare Adriatico Settentrionale, the Venice Hospitality Challenge is supported by partners Vela Spa, Venice Boat Show, the Navy, Port Authority, Coast Guard, and FIV. The main sponsors are Generali Italia, VISA, and Boscolo Bielo; sponsors include New Murano Gallery, MureaDritta, Prosecco Doc, Panfido, VYP Venice Yacht Pier, Select, Acqua Dolomia, Alilaguna, Assonautica Venezia, and Portodimare. Media partners: Barche, Excellence Magazine, Venezia Made in Veneto, Venezia Unica, Lagunamare, and Wonder Cortina.

Venice Hospitality Challenge 2024 - photo © Giorgio Mostarda and Marco Contessa