International Genoa Winter Contest - Optimist
Yacht Club Italiano
Yacht Club Italiano is the oldest sailing club in Italy and one of the oldest in the Mediterranean. Founded in Genoa in 1879, its historic headquarters sit on the Porticciolo Duca degli Abruzzi, with a summer clubhouse in Portofino. The club offers around 200 berths, floating pontoons, a dinghy slipway, boat sheds and a clubhouse with bar and restaurant. The Scuola di Mare Beppe Croce runs year-round sailing courses for children from age six, teenagers and adults; the racing team competes in Optimist, ILCA, 420 and J/70. National and international regattas such as the Loro Piana Giraglia, Millevele IREN and Regate di Primavera Portofino define the programme. With more than 1,000 members, the club is a landmark of Italian and international sailing.
1000
Members
History
Yacht Club Italiano was founded on 1 January 1879 in Genoa as the Regio Yacht Club Italiano, initiated by Vittorio Augusto Vecchi (Jack la Bolina) with the support of King Umberto I. The first regatta was held on 8 August 1880 in the Gulf of La Spezia with 177 boats. From the outset the aims were to promote yachting, organise national and international regattas and train young sailors. In the early 1930s the club helped associate other Italian clubs, leading after the war to the Federazione Italiana Vela. International milestones include the 1902 Coppa di Francia with the 10-tonner Artica of the Duke of the Abruzzi, Olympic gold for the 8 Metre Italia at Kiel in 1936, and America's Cup participation in 1987. The clubhouse on the Porticciolo Duca degli Abruzzi, designed by Giuseppe Crosa di Vergagni, opened in 1929, was badly damaged in World War II and rebuilt in 1948/49. The Portofino summer seat was inaugurated on 1 June 1965. Notable figures include Luigi Durand de La Penne and Beppe Croce, club president for 28 years and ISAF president for 17 years. In 1996 STA Italia was founded with the Navy; in 2000 the Scuola di Mare Beppe Croce; in 2007 the Fondazione Tender to Nave Italia. Today the club has about 1,100 members; some 309 yachts fly the club burgee. Carlo Cameli has been president since December 2023.
Information
Facilities
Three-storey clubhouse (atrium, changing rooms, Sala Trossi, presidency, secretariat, library, bar, lounge, restaurant), about 200 berths, 6 floating pontoons and quay, fixed dinghy slipway, 2 boat sheds, fresh water and electricity at every berth, Wi-Fi, CCTV, fixed 30 t electric crane, 15 t mobile crane, 20 t boat trolley, forklift, 3 tenders, 2 assistance RIBs, 75 lockers, 200 m² gym, guest house with 15 beds, Portofino summer seat with terrace, bar and restaurant.
Activities
Year-round sailing courses for children, teenagers and adults (Optimist, 420, ILCA, J/70, Wing Foil, offshore), racing training in Olympic and one-design classes, organisation of national and international regattas (including Loro Piana Giraglia, Millevele IREN, Regate di Primavera Portofino), social events, youth education and CSR projects, Italian recreational boat licence (patente nautica) courses.
Youth section
Active youth and junior development via the Scuola di Mare Beppe Croce and the Racing Team (Optimist, ILCA, 420, J/70) with year-round training and national as well as international regattas; courses from age 6.
Guest berths
No, members only
Boating license training
Available: 1
Year-round via the Scuola di Mare Beppe Croce
Board members
Additional officials
Regatta calendar
International Genoa Winter Contest - ILCA
Italian Long Distance Circuit
Interzonal Optimist Selection
Genoa Sailing Week
Trofeo Porto Carlo Riva
The Gentlemen Challenge
Portofino Spring Regattas
Regata della Gallinara
Trofeo SIAD Bombola D'Oro - Coppa Roberto Sestini
Loro Piana Giraglia
J/70 Member's Cup - Summer Edition
Millevele IREN
Lowrance Trophy - Fishing Tournament
62nd Coppa Poggi
J/70 Member's Cup