Cadet World Championship

The youth sailing World Championship in Torbole

The Cadet World Championship is the world title event for the Cadet class, a compact two-person dinghy created to introduce young people to competitive sailing. From July 30 to August 7, 2026, the world title will be decided in Torbole sul Garda, a district of the municipality of Nago-Torbole in the Province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige), organized by the Circolo Vela Torbole, one of the most prestigious sailing clubs on the international circuit.

The Cadet class

The Cadet is a compact, stable, and agile two-person dinghy, ideal for young sailors taking their first steps into racing. Each crew consists of two sailors, a helm and a crew, generally under 17. It is one of the most historic youth classes in the world, with a tradition spanning every continent: Europe, Australia, Asia, and the Americas. Crews from all over the world are expected in Torbole for one of the most well-attended and prestigious youth sailing competitions.

The Upper Garda and the Òra wind

Torbole overlooks the northern shore of Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake, and has been a sailing landmark for centuries thanks to its consistent and predictable winds. In the morning, the Pelèr blows down from the mountains, while in the afternoon, the Òra rises—the thermal breeze that travels up the lake from the south, reaching ideal intensities for racing in the summer. This reliable wind regime has made the Upper Garda in Trentino one of the most sought-after destinations for global sailing, regularly hosting European and World Championships for numerous classes.

The racing program

The event kicks off with registration and measurement on July 30 and 31, and the morning of August 1. Saturday, August 1, features the practice race and the opening ceremony. From Sunday, August 2, to Friday, August 7, the racing days for the world title will take place, with Wednesday, August 5, reserved as a lay day. The awards ceremony will conclude the week following the final races. The club allows participants to bring their boats and train starting July 25.

An event for the region

Beyond the sporting dimension, the Cadet World Championship is a major showcase for Nago-Torbole and the Garda Trentino region, which welcomes thousands of sailors and enthusiasts every summer. Watching the races from the shore, with the colorful sails of the dinghies painting the course beneath Monte Baldo, is an experience that blends sport, nature, and lakeside tradition.