EurILCA Europa Cup

The EurILCA Europa Cup in Riva del Garda

The EurILCA Europa Cup is a major highlight of the international sailing calendar, dedicated to the single-handed Olympic ILCA (formerly Laser) dinghy classes. The circuit visits various European regatta venues each season, and Riva del Garda—with its rich sailing tradition and consistent thermal winds—remains one of the athletes' favorite destinations. The Italian leg returns to Upper Lake Garda in June 2026, hosted as always by the historic Fraglia Vela Riva.

Classes on the water

The regattas feature three classes that cover the entire competitive journey of a sailor, from young beginners to established champions:

• ILCA 4: the entry-level class, primarily for youth sailors, featuring very large fleets;
• ILCA 6: the Olympic class for both men and women;
• ILCA 7: the premier Olympic dinghy, known for being the most physically and technically demanding.

The 2026 edition saw over 640 sailors representing 38 nations take to the water, numbers that cement the EurILCA Europa Cup as a flagship event of the ILCA season.

The Upper Lake Garda race course

The northern basin of Lake Garda is world-renowned in the sailing community for the regularity of its thermal winds: the Pelèr, which blows from the north in the early morning, and the Ora del Garda, which rises from the south in the afternoon. This alternation provides ideal training and racing conditions, making Riva del Garda a true international capital for sailing sports, framed by the natural amphitheater of the Trentino mountains.

Fraglia Vela Riva

The event is organized by Fraglia Vela Riva, one of Italy's most decorated sailing clubs, located at Via G. Maroni 2 in Riva del Garda, in the province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige). The club manages the entire organization, from onshore logistics to race management on the water, and complements the competition with a rich program of "après-sail" activities for athletes and their families.

An event for the region

Beyond its sporting significance, the EurILCA Europa Cup is a major driver for tourism in the Upper Lake Garda area. Hundreds of crews, coaches, and families bring Riva del Garda and surrounding towns to life during the peak season. The event reaffirms Riva del Garda's status as a benchmark for European sailing, capable of attracting the best ILCA class competitors to one of Italy's most picturesque locations.