Regatta for Peace draws over 120 sailors from 13 countries to Cyprus

Larnaca, Cyprus. Over 120 sailors representing 13 countries competed aboard 24 boats in Saturday’s Regatta for Peace, which the Italian embassy described as Cyprus’ biggest amateur sailing event to date. The race linked the marinas at Larnaca and Ayia Napa.

International crews race along southeastern coast

The initiative came from Italy’s embassy in Nicosia, working with the Cyprus Sailing Federation and both host marinas.

An embassy statement said the fleet departed Larnaca marina late that morning, with Andreas Vyras, the Larnaca mayor, and Costas Koumis, Deputy Tourism Minister, present for the start.

Nearly every crew combined sailors of different nationalities, with many Italian participants. They covered roughly 16 nautical miles beside Cyprus’ southeastern coastline before reaching Ayia Napa marina early that afternoon.

Competition was divided between Classes A and B. A handicap system enabled boats with differing designs to race on equal terms.

Peace message and America’s Cup connection

The embassy identified the regatta as the opening European stop on an international roadshow leading up to the America’s Cup. Italy will host that competition for the first time in July 2027.

Antonella Cavallari, Italy’s ambassador to Cyprus, said the regatta was dedicated to peace, describing it as the gift most desired worldwide.

She said peace was diplomacy’s essential value and its reason for existing, while sports diplomacy ranked among its most important instruments. Sport, she said, communicated a powerful message through fair play, respect for rules and one another, cooperation and friendship.

Cavallari added that those values needed to guide relationships among countries and their peoples now more than ever.

Hope for an annual event

According to the embassy, Koumis particularly welcomed the initiative and expressed hope that it would take place every year, citing its positive impact and its role in broadening Cyprus’ tourism offering.