CEO Andreoli: “The real secret to the success of initiatives like this lies in the ability to conceive, execute, and manage the projects undertaken. The mission of Difesa Servizi is precisely to bring together the public sector and the private world.”
Rome, 6 November – The fifth edition of the “Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour 2025 – Il Veloce,” the sailing tour of Italy created to promote the values and brand of the Italian Navy, set off from Genoa on Wednesday, November 5. During the opening ceremony, broadcast live on the Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour channels, the crews paraded aboard their boats in the waters near the Palinuro, the Italian Navy training ship, which was docked in Genoa for the occasion. The 10 crews, 7 Italian and 3 international (from France, England, and Germany), departed from “Calata Molo Vecchio” to begin their non-stop navigation towards Venice, sailing around Italy. Covering 1,492 nautical miles, it is the longest regatta in the Mediterranean. The race will conclude between November 17 and 19 in Venice, with the awards ceremony scheduled for November 22.
The Mayor of Genoa, Silvia Salis, took part in the opening ceremony: “I thank the Italian Navy and Difesa Servizi for their investment in sport, one of Italy’s great excellences recognized worldwide.”
Also in attendance was the CEO of Difesa Servizi, Luca Andreoli, who stated: “This event fills a gap. Italy is a country with 8,000 km of coastline, and a sailing event that circumnavigates the nation and tells its story from a different perspective was needed.” He added, “The real secret to success lies in knowing how to conceive, execute, and manage the projects undertaken. The mission of Difesa Servizi is precisely to bring together the public sphere with the private world.”
Admiral Inspector Pietro Covino, Head of the General Office of the Administrative Responsibility Center of the Italian Navy, also attended, noting that “this project is an example of how working together, each contributing their own knowledge and expertise—as Difesa Servizi, the Navy, and institutions are doing—creates a multiplying effect of positive outcomes.”
Also present were FIV Secretary General Alberto Volandri and SSI Sports & Events CEO Riccardo Simoneschi, who concluded by saying: “Together, we have built an important sporting format based on the country’s fundamental values: the value of our coastlines, our tourism, and all the elements that make Italy unique. Using sport to promote the values of the country works extremely well.” The event was moderated by sailing journalist and expert Giulio Guazzini.
The numbers for the 2025 edition are also significant: this year’s “Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour – Il Veloce” involved 30 boats with international crews from 14 countries in the preliminary selection phase, competing aboard the high-performance Figaro BENETEAU 3. Only 10 crews qualified for the starting lineup, including teams representing the Italian Navy and the Air Force (Team Fe, Le Cape..toste, Gli Isolani, 2HD Offshore Racing, Norbit, Gin Tonic, Marina Militare, Aeronautica Militare, Yacht Club Italiano, Kairos 2).
The 2025 edition of Il Veloce thus confirms its international scope, capable of uniting sport, the sea, and national identity.
The competition is organized by Difesa Servizi S.p.A. in collaboration with the Italian Navy and SSI Sports & Events, with the support of the Ministry for Sport, ENIT S.p.A. (main partner of the tour), and the Italian Sailing Federation, under the patronage of CONI. The regatta is part of the strategic initiatives of “Valore Paese Italia.” Along its route, it will pass several lighthouses included in the project and enhanced by Difesa Servizi through dual-use initiatives: Punta Fenaio, Punta Capel Rosso on Giglio Island, Punta Spadillo in Pantelleria, Capofaro in Salina, Polveraia on Elba, Santa Eufemia in Vieste, Punta Stilo in Monasterace, Punta Libeccio in Marettimo, Formica Grande in Grosseto, Punta Marsala in Favignana, and others featured in this year’s itinerary.