One month to the "Grand Finale" of The Ocean Race

This story has been provided by the Genova The Grand Finale stopover team

Nine extraordinary days for Genova. From June 24 to July 2, the arrival of The Ocean Race will transform the Ligurian capital not only into the sailing capital of the world but also into a desired tourist destination with a record-breaking schedule of events and activities. 

In a month's time, the Ocean Live Park will be opened in the Waterfront of Levante, the former Genova Fiera redesigned by Renzo Piano, where the Ocena Race boats will arrive. The Ocean Race turns 50 and for the first time will arrive in Italy, including some "Legends," as New Zealand Endeavour and Rolly Go, to celebrate the historic date. 

"It's going to be a great success," says Genova Mayor Marco Bucci, "Hosting the final leg of The Ocean Race in Genova is an incredible opportunity for promotion, an extraordinary chance to take the name of our city everywhere. Hundreds of thousands of fans around the world will follow the arrival of the boats, an event we have worked hard on over the past few years and that makes us extremely proud. I am certain that we will achieve a valuable return for the city in the immediate and future, thanks to the extensive promotion carried out on an international scale. Genova is ready to transform itself into the sailing capital of the world."

Since the start in Alicante on January 15, Genova and Liguria have been on a promotional tour of their excellences, from food and wine to tourism and culture. "Genova and Liguria are ready to welcome the Ocean Race, a world-class sporting event and one of the most famous regattas in the world," says Liguria Region President Giovanni Toti. "It will be a true international showcase that will bring tourism, attention and work to our entire territory, which already can count on a leading role in the nautical and blue economy and has an increasing role in the sailing world"

A competition and, at the same time, an adventure that focuses on the sea, with a strong awareness of sustainability. "It is an honor for Genova and for the entire nation," highlights Edoardo Rixi, deputy minister of Infrastructure, "to host the arrival of one of the biggest sport events in the world. We invite everyone to Genova and wish all the crews good wind."

Ocean Live Park, which is the event hub for the public, will open its doors on Saturday, June 24, at 10 a.m. The opening (4 p.m.) will also be attended by the Navy Fanfare. From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (on some evenings until 10 p.m.) the village will welcome the public to admire the boats scheduled to arrive between June 24 and 25. Among the attractions will be the Italian Navy's training ship "Palinuro", which will welcome thousands of visitors on board. Admission to Ocean Live Park will be free of charge. 

Sailing and Sport. "It will be nine exciting days for those who love sports," stresses Alessandra Bianchi, sports councilor of the City of Genova, "Sailing in the foreground, but we will also have a tasty appetizer of 'Genova 2024, European Capital of Sport.' You will be able to try many disciplines and experience some spectacular events in the artistic, cultural and technological fields as well. We will have areas dedicated to innovation and sustainability and we will bring concerts and entertainment for all tastes to the stage with an important tourism promotion for our city." Featured will be tennis and padel, soccer and fencing, field hockey and golf, bocce, billiards and subbuteo. Scheduled events include some major tennis and padel challenges. Double date with inclusive sports thanks to performances between Insuperabili, Genova For Special and Samp For Special. Space is also given to "e-sports" in the Jean Nouvel Pavilion with four e-sailing stations and three dedicated to Play Station FIFA 2023, Nintendo (Mario Kart and more) and a driving simulator to experience the thrill of sports driving (registration for tournaments on ciesports.it and grifonesports.com). 

"Sailing enthusiasts," explains Maurizio Buscemi, president of the Primazona Fiv (Italian sailing Federation), "will find at the Jean Nouvel Pavilion the FIVillage, which for the first time in Italy will offer Foil and Para Sailing Academies at the same time. The Next Generation Foil Academy powered by Luna Rossa, represents excellence in foil sailing and will be a major presence at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. New for the year is the introduction of the Para Sailing Academy, a model of inclusiveness that allows everyone to approach the world of sailing. There will also be the Mini 6.50 Academy for those who want to experience the thrill of sailing on a Mini 6.50, considered the first step toward ocean sailing. Visitors will have the opportunity to try sailing with the invaluable help of FIV instructors. A special event will be held on June 28 with a gala evening where the FIV Sailor of the Year will be awarded with the participation of the President of World Sailing, Mr Quanhai Li.

Challenges and events. On June 27, the floor will be given to the "Legends Regatta." Spectacular will be the parade of the Teams accompanied by the Marching Band, as well as the exit into the sea. Magic that will be repeated at the two "Pro-Am" regattas set for June 28 and 29, and finally on July 1 with the eagerly awaited "In Port Race" the regatta for the Imoca and VO65 classes that will determine the winners of this special classification. The final awards ceremony is set for 5 p.m. on July 1 on the central stage at Ocean Live Park. A stage that will be the heart of the entertainment with numerous events: the BeatBox Battle European Contest, the Buio Pesto concert, DJ sets, the Talents Squared show, the award ceremony of the 999 Regatta of the Municipalities, the Polene show "The Eyes of the Sea," the Street Workout and the theatrical show "A Sea without Plastic - The Eco Musical" organized by Genova Partner Iren. Also, the painting competition aimed at all art institutes and the final of the World Pesto Championship with the winners of the Alicante, Cape Town, Itajaì, Newport, Aahrus and The Hague stopovers. 

Sustainability. Two institutional events of the highest prestige: the Mission Charter and the Ocean Summit. On Monday, June 26, "Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030" organized by the European Commission and the City of Genova with support from the LIFE4MEDECA and BlueMissionMed projects will be held in the village. The event will host the first public presentation of the Shared Transition Agenda developed by the Coalition of Mayors. On Tuesday, June 27, the Ocean Summit will be held at the Magazzini del Cotone, the last act of the Genova Process that has brought together the world's top experts over the past 12 months to write the first draft of the Oceans' Bill of Rights to be submitted to the UN.

Many workshops open to the public in the sustainability area. The One Blue Voice Immersive Experience will take visitors on a journey under the waves to discover the race that protects the ocean. For children ages 6 to 16, there will be numerous educational workshops. The Genova Sustainability Pavilion will showcase the work of some of the schools that have worked on the "Learning Program," as well as the work of the Family Service Centers and the "productions" of the Genova City Council's Work Education Centers. Works under the banner of social and environmental sustainability and circular economy. For the occasion, the Italian Postal Service has created a special Stamp that will be launched on June 22 and then can be seen and purchased at the pavilion. A number of local associations and foundations dealing with environmental and social sustainability will also be present with play and educational activities, documentary screenings and presentations.

Children from Genova City Council summer camps will also be involved with numerous activities. Two mascots will welcome the little ones: Wisdom, the seagull from The Ocean Race, and “Lupo di Mare”, symbol of Genova The Grand Finale.

Under the banner of sustainability, a mobility system has been launched by the Smart Mobility Center of the Genova City Council, with the collaboration of Amt and Genova Parcheggi, which will encourage the use of public and collective transport - train, bus and cab - to reach the Ocean Live Park and the Porto Antico, venues for the main events of the Grand Finale.

Innovation. In the Jean Nouvel Pavilion there will be the Innovation Village created by the Blue District. A large space where one can be amazed, entertained, navigate, and experience innovative solutions for marine protection. It will feature the nine solutions identified through the Call for Innovation that respond in innovative ways to the challenges posed by environmental sustainability, the use of clean energy, the need to promote well-being, accessibility and usability of the sea resource, and the circular economy. Wsense, Northern light, Swimlift, Moebeus, Oceanhis, Global e-Solving, Geoscape, MadLab2.0 and H2Boat will promote fascinating 3d experiences with formulas suitable for everyone: children, families, young people, students, adults but also experts, researchers, businesses. 

Entertainment. Inside the village there will be a "food" area with several trucks offering Ligurian and Italian specialties. Water will be provided by Iren thanks to a "fontanone" from which everyone will be able to fill their own water bottle to make the event "plastic free." All the "excellences" of Liguria will find space in a specially designed area together with the Chamber of Commerce, including food and wine, historic stores, tourism and innovation. There will be numerous booths: from ETT's Immersive Chamber, which accompanied the Genova Pavilion's world tour, to the bases of teams Malizia, Guyot, Holcim, 11th Hour Racing and Biotherm, passing through the Hydrographic Institute of the Navy, Boero YachtCoatings and many other companies present. There will also be an art trail in the village with a number of installations including "Ocean light," the sail made by master Marco Nereo Rotelli. From New York comes "Sailing Together," the trophy that American artist Charlie Kaplan will display in the village and then donate to the winner of the Legends Regatta. Space will also be given to "Hetty the Painted Sails," the van where children can paint sails that will then be turned into bags.

Volunteers. Enthusiastic was the participation in the "volunteer project" with as many as 282 sign-ups. The Team will be featured in the Ocean Live Park in many activities and supporting visitors.

Sponsors. Important is the "team" of sponsors who contribute to this great event: Ministero per lo Sport e i Giovani, Enit, Ministero del Turismo, ICE, Marina Militare, Regione Liguria, Camera di Commercio di Genova, Ports of Genova, Confindustria Genova, MSC Foundation, Coni, Fiv, Ussi. Co-organizer: Porto Antico Spa.
Partner: Iren.
Sponsor: Free To X, Banca Passadore, Boero YachtCoating, Amico &CO, Deloitte.
Supporter: Rina, Ett, Esselunga, Esaote, Ferrovie Italiane, Socrem, Movyon, Telepass, Fastweb, Netafim, Costa Edutainment - Acquario di Genova, Fabbrica Digitale, Sanlorenzo, Ignazio Messina & C., Leonardo. Sponsor del programma Volontari: Siat.
Friends of Genova The Grand Finale: Ranieri Tonissi, Enel, Grimaldi Lines, Psa Italy, Gruppo Spinelli, Pirelli, Finsea, Genova For Yachting, Mussini Giorgio Portofino, Italmatch Chemicals, Asdomar, Villa Montallegro, Paul Wurth, Alfa Laval, Ita Airways, Fuori Muro, Nuovo Borgo Terminal Container.