Grandi Vele - Vintage Sails Gathering
The gathering of vintage and classic yachts between Ventotene and the Gulf of Gaeta
About Grandi Vele Gaeta
A gathering of vintage boats in the heart of the Tyrrhenian Sea
Grandi Vele - Vintage Sails Gathering is the sailing event that transforms the Gulf of Gaeta, in the province of Latina, into a stage for the most beautiful historic vessels in the Mediterranean at the start of every summer. Organized by the Yacht Club Gaeta E.V.S. under the auspices of the Italian Sailing Federation, the regatta has become a permanent fixture on the calendar of the AIVE (Italian Association of Vintage Sails), representing one of the most anticipated stages before the summer break.
Established in 2003, the event has supported Gaeta's growth as a sailing city, attracting owners, crews, and enthusiasts from all over Italy. The route connecting Ventotene to the Gaeta roadstead has become a classic: a journey through one of the most picturesque stretches of the Lazio coast, featuring the Pontine Islands, dramatic cliffs, and the unmistakable silhouette of Monte Orlando.
The regattas: from Ventotene to Gaeta
The format consists of three distinct events spread over several days. It begins with La Manifesto di Ventotene, a coastal regatta of about fifteen miles in the waters between Porto Romano and the islet of Santo Stefano, featuring a figure-eight course that tests the maneuverability of the older hulls. This is followed by La VE-GA, the offshore crossing of about twenty-four miles that brings the fleet from Ventotene to the Gaeta roadstead. The final two days are dedicated to the Gaeta Regattas, coastal races held between the medieval city and the Piana di Sant'Agostino, with buoys positioned near the Torre di Sant'Agostino and Punta Stendardo.
Eligible classes
The fleet is intentionally diverse, which is one of the most fascinating aspects of the event. Eligible boat categories include:
- Vintage (Epoca) — hulls launched before 1950;
- Classic — vessels built before 1976;
- Classic IOR;
- Spirit of Tradition, modern boats with traditional lines;
- S&S Swan, the Sparkman & Stephens designs;
- Metric Classes and One Design;
- Latin Sail (Vela Latina) and Open Class.
The spectacle on land and at sea
Even those who don't sail will find their place: the Lungomare Caboto, the commercial port, and the viewpoints of Monte Orlando offer privileged vantage points for the starts and parades. The most photographed moment remains the fleet parade, with white sails lined up in front of the coast and, in editions where it is moored in the roadstead, in front of the Nave Scuola Palinuro, the Italian Navy's barquentine launched in 1934.
Gaeta, a city of sea and history
The event is inseparable from its setting. Gaeta, one of the most famous seaside towns in Lazio, preserves the medieval Sant'Erasmo district, the Angevin-Aragonese Castle, the Sanctuary of the Montagna Spaccata, and a distinct gastronomic tradition, from the famous tiella to the Gaeta PDO olives. Those arriving for the regattas find much more than just sailing: the beaches of Serapo and Ariana, the trails of the Riviera di Ulisse Regional Park, and some of the most highly regarded seafood dining in the province of Latina.
Why attend
Grandi Vele is not just a competition: it is a meeting of nautical cultures, an opportunity to see up close the vessels that have shaped the history of yachting, and to rediscover the sea as a shared cultural heritage. The atmosphere is rare, where competitive spirit coexists with a meticulous devotion to wood, brass, and vintage equipment.
Grandi Vele Gaeta — edition 2026
Grandi Vele 2026: the 23rd edition
The 2026 edition of Grandi Vele - Vintage Sails Gathering, the twenty-third, was held from July 2 to 5, 2026, between Ventotene and Gaeta, in the province of Latina, organized by the Yacht Club Gaeta E.V.S. under the auspices of the Italian Sailing Federation. It was the final event on the AIVE circuit calendar before the summer break.
The fleet, consisting of hulls from the Vintage, Classic, Classic IOR, Spirit of Tradition, S&S Swan, Metric Classes, One Design, Latin Sail, and Open Class categories, faced three distinct events, moving progressively from the Pontine waters to the Gaeta roadstead.
The grand finale with the Nave Palinuro
The final day provided the most celebrated image of the edition: the parade of historic vessels in front of the Nave Scuola Palinuro, the barquentine of the Italian Navy launched in 1934, followed by a final triangle course regatta of about 4.5 nautical miles, repeated twice thanks to favorable weather conditions. The awards ceremony was held on board the Palinuro in the presence of civil and military authorities.
Programme Grandi Vele Gaeta 2026
Thursday, July 2 — Ventotene
La Manifesto di Ventotene: coastal regatta of about 15 nautical miles, start and finish in the waters between Porto Romano and the islet of Santo Stefano, on a figure-eight course ("Ottovelante").
Friday, July 3 — from Ventotene to Gaeta
La VE-GA: offshore regatta of about 24 nautical miles, crossing from Ventotene to the Gaeta roadstead.
Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5 — Gulf of Gaeta
Gaeta Regattas: coastal races in the waters between medieval Gaeta and the Piana di Sant'Agostino, with course buoys near the Torre di Sant'Agostino (coastal course) and Punta Stendardo (short course).
Sunday, July 5, at noon, parade of the vintage fleet in front of the Nave Scuola Palinuro; in the afternoon, a final triangle course regatta of about 4.5 miles, held over two full laps. Following this, the awards ceremony on board the Nave Palinuro.
Registrations closed on June 21, 2026, via the official event website.
Highlights Grandi Vele Gaeta 2026
- 23rd edition of the event, final stage of the AIVE circuit before the summer break
- Three regattas: La Manifesto di Ventotene, the offshore crossing La VE-GA, and the Gaeta Regattas
- Parade of the historic fleet in front of the Nave Scuola Palinuro, a 1934 barquentine
- Awards ceremony on board the Palinuro, including the Follaro d'Oro and the Nostromo Prize
- Presence of Cadamà , the first fully accessible vintage vessel
- Historic hulls in the fleet such as Penelope, Artica II, Stella Polare, Chaplin, and Corsaro II
Prices Grandi Vele Gaeta 2026
Practical information — Grandi Vele Gaeta
Getting there
By car: take the Cassino exit on the A1 motorway, then the SS630 to Formia and the SS213 Flacca towards Gaeta; or via the SS7 Appia. By train: Formia-Gaeta station on the Rome-Naples line, served by Frecce and Intercity trains, then local buses to Gaeta (about 20 minutes). By plane: Rome Fiumicino and Naples Capodichino airports, both about two hours away.
Where to watch the regattas
Starts and parades can be viewed from the Lungomare Giovanni Caboto, the port, and the viewpoints of Monte Orlando Park. Access to the land-based observation points is free.
Registration and contacts
Regatta registration is reserved for owners of eligible classes and closes a few weeks before the event. Information available from the Yacht Club Gaeta E.V.S., Lungomare Giovanni Caboto 93, Gaeta (LT) — phone +39 393 1651305, e-mail [email protected].
Tips
During the regatta period, accommodation in Gaeta and Formia is in high demand: it is advisable to book well in advance. Bring binoculars and sunscreen to follow the races from the coast.
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Where does it take place — Grandi Vele Gaeta
Golfo di Gaeta e specchio d'acqua di Ventotene
Lungomare Giovanni Caboto, 93, 04024 Gaeta