Imperia, September 1, 2026. The City of Imperia officially welcomed over 60 "queens of the sea" from all over Europe to participate in the 40th anniversary of the Imperia Vintage Sails. This is a significant anniversary that the Municipality and Assonautica di Imperia, organizers of the event with the support of the Imperia and Sanremo Yacht Clubs, have chosen to celebrate, as always, in grand style.

Welcomed by the notes of the Carabinieri fanfare, the highest civil and military authorities and the godfather of the event , Mauro Pelaschier, took their seats in the stalls. Then came the welcome from the Mayor of Imperia, the Honorable Claudio Scajola: "Looking back to the origins of this event means remembering that forty years ago we began with just a few boats and a courageous vision. Over these four decades, the event has grown alongside our city, facing even stormy times with the determination of those who choose not to remain safely in port. Today, this gathering is one of the most popular events on the international sailing circuit, unique for the extraordinary bond that unites the crews, the boats, and our community. If all this is a reality, we also owe it to the synergy with extraordinary institutional partners: a special thanks to the Minister of Sport, Andrea Abodi, who honored us with his presence, and to the Ministry of Tourism, which recognized the strategic value of the event at the national and international level. Our efforts to transform Imperia through sporting activity was increasingly populated by young people, and it is a harbinger of values and rules of life that these young people then carry within them."

Liguria Region President Marco Bucci emphasized the importance of the event for promoting Liguria's cultural and landscape heritage: "The Vele d'Epoca di Imperia are a Ligurian heritage and an event that, after forty years, continues to renew itself and look to the future. This edition demonstrated this once again, combining the tradition of classic sailing with the allure of the legendary 12-meter Class boats, protagonists of the America's Cup. As a sailing enthusiast and sailor, it is a source of great pride for me to see these great boats ply the waters of Liguria and find such a prestigious setting in Imperia. Events like this tell the world about our relationship with the sea and, at the same time, have a tangible impact on the region, attracting visitors, enthusiasts, and athletes and promoting businesses, commerce, tourism, and culture. The 40th anniversary of the Vele d'Epoca is a significant milestone, but above all, a new starting point for continuing to place Imperia and Liguria at the center of international sailing."

The guest of honor was Minister of Sport Andrea Abodi, who spoke about the relationship between tradition and the promotion of sports: "Over time, the city of Imperia has successfully consolidated its goals, combining the preservation of an ancient maritime culture with the effort to promote sports, especially among younger generations. I congratulate the Mayor and all the stakeholders in this organization. The Government will remain supportive of initiatives like this, which convey the most healthy values of sport and showcase the unique characteristics of the region."

"We are proud but also excited; it was a great challenge, undertaken with passion and determination," said Biagio Parlatore, President of Assonautica Imperia . "I thank Mayor Scajola, the entire municipal staff, and Assonautica for their support. Inspired by the elegance of the 12-meter International Classification yachts and the enduring spirit of the Vintage Sails, we can't wait to dive into the second part of the event. This too will be a truly memorable experience, visible to the public, including from the beaches and seafront."

The arrival of the Tricolore at the village was a very emotional moment. Unloaded from the Palinuro Training Ship, the Italian flag reached the port aboard a patrol boat from the Imperia Port Authority. It was then escorted by officers of the Italian Navy and the Port Authority itself to the flagpole, where the flag-raising ceremony took place, with the National Anthem in the background, sung by the magnificent voice of singer Jolie.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony by Mayor Scajola, Minister Abodi, and Governor Bucci, officials and the public moved to the Imperia Municipality stand, where the Italian Post Office (Poste Italiane) issued the postmark.

The vintage regattas are scheduled to start tomorrow at 11 a.m., wind permitting.

From the afternoon, to the village:

· 6:00 PM: Interview with Mauro Pelaschier by journalist Fabio Pozzo

· 6:30 pm: Sports Games - “Basket and Beer” Basketball Tournament Banchina

· 7:00-8:00 PM: Interview with Rinaldo Agostini (Wiki Project) by Giacomo Baldassari: life at sea and the solidarity route of Lilli II with AIRC

· 9.30pm-11.30pm: Burlesque & Moulin Rouge Show,

Info: www.veledepoca.com