The EurILCA Europa Cup 2026 got underway at Fraglia Vela Riva with a record-breaking opening day. Nearly 650 sailors from all over Europe have gathered on Lake Garda for one of the most important events of the 2026 international ILCA season.
Weather conditions allowed two races to be completed for all fleets, split across the two race courses set up by the Organizing Authority. The famous Garda Ora breeze arrived right on schedule, delivering a spectacular first day and enabling the Race Committee to complete the full racing programme as planned.
“I am very pleased with the first day,” commented Principal Race Officer Zlatko Jakelic. “The Ora immediately started to showcase the magic of Lake Garda to this wonderful fleet. There has been great teamwork between the Race Committee and the Fraglia Vela Riva staff, and I hope it has been a positive start for everyone. We look forward to enjoying similarly favourable conditions tomorrow, allowing us to complete two more races before moving into the Final Series from Tuesday onwards.”
In the ILCA 7 fleet, which features 73 competitors, France’s Alexandre Kowalski holds the provisional lead after a flawless day with two race victories. Behind him is Israel’s Omer Vered Vilenchik, who posted a second and a fifth place, while Ukraine’s Oskar Madonich sits third overall thanks to scores of 6-2. Tied on points with the Ukrainian sailor is Nicolò Giuseppe Cassitta from Yacht Club Olbia, currently the highest-ranked Italian in the fleet.
The ILCA 6 Women’s fleet, comprising 62 sailors, is being dominated by Italy’s Emma Mattivi. The Italian secured two race wins and leads the overall standings with a perfect score. France’s Paoline Milleret is second after posting a 3-5 scoreline, while Poland’s Zofia Wojcik occupies third place with scores of 5-4.
The ILCA 6 Men’s division, the second-largest fleet of the event with 187 competitors, is proving extremely competitive. The standings at the top are remarkably close, with the entire top 15 separated by just nine points. Ireland’s Conor Cronin leads the fleet after winning both races, followed by the Netherlands’ Alexander Hartsink with a second and a first place. Spain’s Nikki Palou is third overall after recording a first and a second.
The largest fleet of the regatta is the ILCA 4, where Italian sailors currently dominate the leaderboard. Fraglia Vela Riva’s Enrico Morina and Circolo Velico Ravennate’s Elia Uffreduzzi share the lead on equal points after both won their respective races. Third overall and first female is Melissa Falica with scores of 1-3, followed by Leandro Scialpi, who posted two second-place finishes. Hungary’s Zsolt Szalay completes the top five with a third and a second.
Tomorrow’s schedule includes two more races for all fleets, concluding the Qualifying Series before the Final Series begins on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Report by Agustín Argüelles – EurILCA | Source: Fraglia Vela Riva | Photos: Fraglia Vela Riva – ZGN.