The 2026 EurILCA Master Series came to a successful conclusion at the 2026 EurILCA Master ITA, held in Gargnano on the shores of Lake Garda, Italy. With 85 sailors competing in ILCA 6 and ILCA 7, the final event delivered three days of excellent racing in the classic Garda conditions of sunshine, warm temperatures and shifting Peler and Ora breezes.
Eight races in three days
The regatta got underway on Friday, with the first warning signal scheduled for 13:00. By then, the morning’s northerly Peler had disappeared, and the fleet had to wait for the southerly Ora to fill in.
An initial attempt to race in front of Circolo Vela Gargnano proved unsuccessful, so the fleet was moved approximately three miles north in search of better conditions. There, an Ora of 5–8 knots eventually settled in, allowing two races to be completed.
Saturday brought an early start, with the first warning signal at 08:30. The sailors were greeted by a beautiful Peler of around 15 knots. The breeze gradually eased to 8–10 knots during the final race, but remained strong enough to allow three races to be completed before midday.
The afternoon gave the sailors the opportunity to discover more of the spectacular surroundings of Lake Garda before returning to the club for dinner. The evening featured a taste of local tradition with spiedo and polenta, the famous regional dish of different meats slowly charcoal-grilled on rotating spits and served with polenta.
On Sunday, the Garda wind delivered another excellent morning of racing. A strong Peler of around 18 knots was already established at the 08:30 start, providing challenging conditions for the final day. Three more races were completed, bringing the regatta total to eight.
A fitting finale in Gargnano
With all eight races successfully completed, the 2026 EurILCA Master ITA provided a memorable finale to the Master Series. Beyond the racing, the event once again showcased what makes the Master fleet special: competitive sailing combined with the opportunity to enjoy great venues, local traditions and time together ashore.
As the sailors packed away their boats after three days on Lake Garda, thoughts were already turning to next season.
The 2026 EurILCA Master Series is now complete — and the Master sailors will be looking forward to meeting again in 2027.
Report by Agustín Argüelles – EurILCA | Source: Roberto Bini – Circolo Vela Gargnano | Photos: Elena Giolai.