The crew of Calabash was mostly Italian, although the yacht flies the German flag. The Maxi Yacht arrived in Trieste after a long and challenging journey: “The Y8 was presented at the Genoa Boat Show (Salone Nautico), so we sailed from Genoa to Trieste — a real tour of Italy just to be part of this event.”
The 24-meter-long Y8 embodies YYachts’ successful design philosophy: a lightweight, luxurious carbon yacht that is easy to sail and designed to meet the needs of racing, family cruising, and chartering. Its interior, crafted by renowned architect David Thulstrup, combines comfort and functionality in a sophisticated, elegant layout.

Reflecting on the experience in Trieste, Schmidt’s enthusiasm is palpable: “It’s a wonderful atmosphere — everything is fantastic here. I had never imagined there would be so many people, so many boats, so many events. If you don’t see it live, you cannot understand what the Barcolana is. I was very impressed by the hospitality of the people of Trieste and by the impeccable organization of the event.”

Following the Barcolana, the Y8 Calabash will also participate in the Venice Hospitality Challenge, a unique city-regatta sailed directly on the Canale Grande. “Combining both regattas has always been a beautiful dream of mine,” Schmidt says. “To experience the energy of the Barcolana and the elegance of Venice — that is sailing at its finest.”