Optimist European Team Race Championship: Spain Triumphs, Italy Takes Bronze
The Optimist European Team Championship, hosted in recent days by Univela Campione del Garda, concluded on an extremely positive note from a sporting, organizational, and regional perspective. The event, held in a team race format, featured four days of hard-fought racing, confirming the Garda-based facility’s ability to host high-level international sailing events.
Spain claimed the continental title, defeating Turkey 2-0 in the decisive final. There was also great satisfaction for Italy, which took third place on the podium thanks to a 2-0 victory over Poland in the bronze medal match.
After three days of competition that had narrowed the field to the tournament’s top four teams, the competition entered its final knockout stage on Saturday. The semifinals, contested in a best-of-three series, pitted Spain against Italy and Turkey against Poland.
The Spanish team confirmed its excellent form by defeating the Italians and securing a spot in the final. For Italy, the loss ended its run for the title, though it left the door open for a medal.
In the other semifinal, Turkey continued its excellent performances from previous days. After finishing the third day at the top of the standings and undefeated, the Turkish team also defeated Poland, earning a spot in the decisive match against Spain. The final thus pitted two of the most competitive teams in the entire tournament against each other, with the Spanish team prevailing 2-0 to be crowned European champions.
There was great satisfaction for Team Italy, composed of Matteo Faraoni (LNI Ostia), Marta Pisoni (SC Garda Salò), Annalie Meoni (FV Malcesine), and Filippo Nardocci (LNI Ostia). In the third-place match, the Italian team faced Poland with determination, securing two consecutive victories and earning a well-deserved bronze medal.
This result rewards the Italian team’s progress, as they climbed from fourth place on the opening day all the way to the podium. Poland, on the other hand, finished the championship in fourth place, after remaining in contention for the title until the decisive day.
The success of the event also represents an important achievement for Univela Campione del Garda, which played a leading role in organizing an event that successfully combined sports, hospitality, and the promotion of the local area. The event reaffirmed Campione del Garda’s role as a hub for international youth sailing, highlighting the value of its facilities and local organizational expertise.
