There are 23 crews, coming from different regions of Italy, who will participate in the only Mediterranean regatta that brings together history, territories and sailing. La Rotta dei Florio starts on Friday 10 May and marks, also for the third edition, an increase in the number of participants. The offshore regatta is organized by the Roggero di Lauria Rowing Club with the collaboration of the Lega Navale Italiana section of Trapani.
Among the new features for 2024 is the establishment of two new special prizes for real-time regatta records. The Cantine Florio prize will be awarded to whoever completes the Palermo-Trapani route first. The “Fondazione Sebastiano Tusa” prize will, however, be awarded to whoever crosses the finish line first on the Trapani-Favignana-Palermo route. A tribute to an internationally renowned archaeologist who was also a champion of the defense of cultural heritage, he was the first superintendent of the Superintendency of the Sea. A choice that aims to give even more strength to a sporting event that is establishing itself as an important tool for the promotion and valorisation of territories. Territories that are united precisely by the sea, as well as by history.
«Since the first edition we have believed in the promotion of this sporting event which aims to spread the culture and love for sailing sport and, at the same time, remember the history that has made this island of ours great – states Andrea Vitale, president of the Rowing Club Roggero di Lauria -. As we have underlined on several occasions, these regatta days are an important moment for the life of our Club which also celebrates the figure of Ignazio Florio, founder of the Club. But they are also an opportunity to let young sailors live the experience of ‘Height. Even in this third edition, in fact, several crews will be made up of kids who are having their first experience with a discipline that will put them to the test: from navigation far from the coast to constant comparison with a crew made up of several people who have to work together in demanding conditions . Offshore sailing is a unique school for its unpredictability and challenges it presents.”
The Rotta dei Florio, which pays homage to one of the most important families of the 19th century, awards the Trophy to the first vessel classified in corrected time, in the Cruise/Regatta class of the largest group, which completed the stages from Palermo to Trapani , passing through Favignana. In this way, in fact, what was one of the historical routes of the commercial vessels of the fleet of those who were considered the great Sicilian shipowners is retraced.
There are two main stages involving Cruise/Regatta and Grand Cruise boats in possession of a regular Orc Club or Orc international certificate. The route of the first stage will be an offshore regatta starting in the Gulf of Mondello and arriving in Trapani. The second stage, however, includes an offshore regatta starting from Trapani, passing through the Favignana buoy and arriving in the Gulf of Mondello.
Specifically, we leave on Friday 10 May at 11am for the first stage Mondello – Trapani. The awards ceremony for the first stage is scheduled for Saturday 11 May at 10am. On the same day we leave for the second stage Trapani – Favignana – Mondello at 1.55pm. Sunday 12th the arrival in Mondello and the awards ceremony.
