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Anyone looking out to sea between Larnaca and Ayia Napa on Saturday may find a little more to watch than the usual horizon. Twenty-three boats carrying more than 120 crew members will be making their way along the coast, swapping the weekend road trip for a sailing race with a message of peace.
The Regatta for Peace, taking place on Saturday, Oct. 17, is expected to be one of the largest independent amateur regattas organised in Cyprus, according to the Italian Embassy in Nicosia.
Organised with the Cyprus Sailing Federation, Larnaca and Ayia Napa marinas, and Assonautica, it will also mark the first European stop of a global roadshow leading up to the America’s Cup, which Naples will host for the first time in July 2027.
For Cyprus, it is a chance to put the island’s sailing community and coastal attractions in the spotlight, with a little Italian company along the way.
From Larnaca to Ayia Napa, under sail
The boats are scheduled to leave Larnaca Marina late in the morning, with Mayor Andreas Vyras attending the start. The starting line is due to close between 11:30 a.m. and noon.
Crews will cover approximately 16 nautical miles, finishing at Ayia Napa Marina during the afternoon.
The race is open to boats holding an Offshore Racing Congress rating certificate. In plain terms, the system accounts for differences between boats so that crews can compete more fairly, rather than simply handing the advantage to the fastest design.
For anyone already planning a coastal coffee or lunch, the departing fleet could provide a rather good backdrop. The sailing, however, is only part of the day.
A shared sea and a sporting connection
Italian Ambassador Antonella Cavallari described the event as an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the two countries through sport.
“The sea has always united Italy and Cyprus,” she said.
The embassy sees sailing as a way to build connections in culture, business and tourism, particularly nautical tourism. That gives the regatta a purpose beyond the finishing line: drawing attention to the visitors, skills and activity that sailing can bring to coastal communities.
Olympic company at the finish
The program at Ayia Napa Marina will bring together sailing champions and official guests, including Pavlos Kontides, Cyprus’ two-time Olympic silver medallist, and Italian transoceanic sailor Matteo Miceli.
Kontides, who won silver at London 2012 and Paris 2024, will be among those presenting prizes. Miceli will share his experiences crossing oceans through a video presentation.
Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis and Education, Sport and Youth Ministry Permanent Secretary Marios Panayides are scheduled to speak, while Justice Minister Costas Fytiris will take part in the ceremony.
A taste of Italy, without the flight
At the marina’s Conference Centre, guests will see a trailer for Terra Maris, a four-part series exploring Italy through its relationship with the sea. Its journey takes in Trieste, Genoa, Cagliari and Naples, covering craftsmanship, design, innovation, food, wine and sustainability.
Manuela Rafaiani, a board member of the Symbola Foundation, will present 100 Italian Sport Stories on Sailing and Water Sports, with copies offered to participants.
There will also be a photography exhibition featuring images from the Paris 2024 Olympics and the Luna Rossa sailing team, supplied by the Italian Sailing Federation.
For guests who would like the sailing experience without taking on the waves, augmented reality headsets will offer four journeys, including a trip aboard Luna Rossa’s AC40 and a visit to the waters off Bagnoli, the future America’s Cup venue.
The crews will have to work for their sea views. The headset users can take a slightly more comfortable route.
*Source: Embassy of Italy in Nicosia and CNA
