April Sails: City of Arona Trophy

April Sails: The start of the sailing season on Lake Maggiore

April Sails: City of Arona Trophy is one of the most anticipated regattas on the Lake Maggiore sailing calendar. It takes place in the waters off the town of Belgirate, a small village on the Piedmontese shore in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, and traditionally marks the opening of the spring competitive season. The event is part of the Verbano Championship circuit reserved for ORC class boats and is organized by the Italian Naval League, Arona section, in collaboration with the lake's sailing clubs.

A sailing tradition rooted in the territory

The waters of Belgirate are no ordinary stage for the sailing world: this is home to the historic Società delle Regate 1858, considered the first Italian yacht club and among the oldest in the world, founded in 1858 and linked to illustrious names of the Risorgimento. This sporting and cultural heritage makes the stretch of lake in front of Belgirate a natural cradle of Piedmontese sailing, where crews gather every spring for April Sails.

The regatta and the Verbano Championship

The City of Arona Trophy is one of the days of the opening weekend known as April Sails, which also includes the Bridge Trophy. Boats compete in inshore races, with courses laid out in the central basin of the lake. The rankings contribute to the ORC Verbano Championship, which accompanies crews throughout the season with numerous stages in the various waters of the Verbano, between Piedmont and Lombardy.

• Discipline: offshore sailing and inshore regatta
• Class: ORC (Verbano Championship)
• Race venue: waters off Belgirate, Lake Maggiore
• Period: second half of April

Atmosphere and setting

Beyond the competition, April Sails is an event that celebrates the lake's sailing culture and the bond between sport and landscape. The sails unfurling against the backdrop of the Vergante hills and the mountains surrounding the Verbano offer a striking sight, much appreciated by spectators watching the regatta from the shores of Belgirate and Arona. The event attracts boat owners and crews from the lake district and represents a gathering point for the local sailing community.

Belgirate and Lake Maggiore

The town of Belgirate, overlooking Lake Maggiore in Piedmont, offers the ideal setting for a day dedicated to sailing: a quiet lakeside promenade, panoramic views, and proximity to Arona and the lake's islands. Attending April Sails is also an opportunity to discover one of the most evocative stretches of the Verbano and its long tradition linked to competitive sailing.