Univela, three international events in Campione del Garda between sports and innovation

Univela Campione del Garda will be the venue for three top events of the European sailing season: the Lombardia Foil Grand Prix from June 5 to 14) the Tornado European Championship from September 1 to 5 and the Optimist European Teamrace Championship from October 13 to 18. The events were presented at Palazzo Lombardia in the presence of the directors

The presentation took place at Palazzo Lombardia, where representatives of Univela and institutions illustrated a calendar that combines sport, training and technological innovation. The first event will be the Lombardia FOILGP, bringing together Kite Foil, Wing Foil and ETF26 for a total of 80 athletes from ten nations. An event that Eurosaf has recognized as an Inclusive European Championship.

In September it will be the turn of the Tornado European Championship, a historic Olympic class now in its fifty-fourth edition, with crews from all over Europe. In October, on the other hand, Univela will host the Optimist European Team Championship for the first time, with 16 national teams and 120 young sailors between the ages of 13 and 15 engaged in more than 140 match races per day.

Beside the sporting dimension, Univela also presented the training course developed with AMMI Foundation students, who were engaged in the preparation of the press conference and in communication, media, photo and video activities. Univela President Arianna Mazzon remarked on the social value of the initiative: “Sailing is an inclusive sport, open to all. The presence of AMMI youngsters is an important signal for the future of the area.”

Mazzon also recalled the investment in GPS robotic buoys, which have revolutionized safety and sustainability of the race courses, while Lombardy Region’s Undersecretary for Sport and Youth, Federica Picchi, stressed the strategic value of the event: “Univela is one of the most authoritative sailing hubs on the international circuit and generates a strong tourist appeal for the whole of Lake Garda.” Picchi also recalled the impact of foil technology: “It has transformed modern sailing, making races faster and more spectacular.”

Univela vice president Tristano Vacondio highlighted the uniqueness of Garda: “Here we have two thermal winds, we can race morning and afternoon: there is no other place in the world like this.” On foils, he added, “They are airplane wings under water: with 10 km/h of wind you can fly at 50 km/h.”