Since the record number of participants in 2014 - more than 2,000 sailing yachts took part - it has been recognised as the largest regatta in the world. The other figures are 20,000 (sailors), 250,000 (spectators) and the year 1969, when the first Barcolana, named after the Trieste neighbourhood of Barcola, started and 51 boats took to the starting line.