L'Inverna a Belgirate

L'Inverna a Belgirate: winter sailing on Lake Maggiore

When the summer season is a distant memory and the lake takes on the crisp colors of autumn, the waters off Belgirate—a small village in the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola province overlooking Lake Maggiore—are once again filled with sails. This is L'Inverna a Belgirate, a winter sailing trophy named after the local wind that blows from the south along the Verbano, which crews learn to master race after race.

The event is organized by La Società delle Regate 1858, based on Via Mazzini in Belgirate, together with Vela Libera Verbano (the circuit connecting the lake's sailing clubs) and in collaboration with the Pro Loco of Belgirate. This is not an elite regatta, but an open, popular event that attracts dozens of boats of all types and sizes to every race.

Three races between autumn and winter

The trophy consists of three races spread across November, December, and January. The final ranking is determined by adding up the scores from each individual regatta; to qualify, a boat must have participated in at least one race. Boats are divided into several categories—Overall, Box Rule, Long, and Short—ensuring that different types of hulls can compete on a level playing field.

Every race day follows a well-established ritual: picking up the breakfast voucher, the skipper briefing to outline the course and instructions, the regatta itself on the water in front of the promenade, and, upon returning to shore, a group lunch that brings all the crews together. It is this social aspect, alongside the sporting challenge, that makes L'Inverna an event anticipated by the entire Verbano sailing community.

Sport, community, and environmental commitment

Over the years, the event has grown to involve dozens of boats at each gathering, with multi-person crews: numbers that make Belgirate a hub for winter sailing on Lake Maggiore. Beyond the sport, the organizers have championed a strong message of sustainability, featuring plastic-free initiatives, biodegradable materials for lunches, and awareness campaigns against water pollution.

Watching a race of L'Inverna from the Belgirate promenade, with colorful sails standing out against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, is an experience that reveals a unique and fascinating side of Lake Maggiore, far from the summer crowds and immersed in the quiet atmosphere of the beautiful cold season.