Trofeo del Lido

An autumn regatta between the shores of Lake Maggiore

The Trofeo del Lido is one of the most cherished sailing regattas in the Lake Maggiore autumn calendar. It takes place in the waters off Belgirate, a small and refined village in the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola province, in Piedmont, overlooking the Verbano. Cabin-style sailing boats compete along a course marked by buoys, harnessing the lake's characteristic winds like the Inverna and the Mergozzo, which make every race technically demanding and spectacular to watch from the shore.

The final act of the Verbano ORC Championship

The Trofeo del Lido is not an isolated race: it represents Act 7, the concluding event of the Verbano ORC Championship, the circuit that unites the seven sailing clubs of Lake Maggiore under the aegis of the Italian Sailing Federation. The championship standings are built throughout the season, from April to October, through a series of regattas hosted in turn by the various lake clubs. Held in late autumn, the Trofeo del Lido often awards the decisive points for the final ranking, which is why it attracts fierce and well-prepared crews.

Organization and local sailing clubs

The event is organized by the Italian Naval League, Meina section (LNI Meina), acting as the lead club in collaboration with the network of Verbano sailing clubs. Belgirate, with its historic sailing tradition guarded by the Società delle Regate 1858 — one of the oldest sailing associations in Italy — is a natural landmark for such events. The village, despite having only a few thousand inhabitants, boasts a deep bond with the lake and competitive sailing, which is renewed every season.

What makes this event special

• The setting of Lake Maggiore in autumn, with the warm colors of the shores and the unique light of the season.
• The technical challenge between ORC-class cabin cruisers, with handicaps and rankings that reward consistency throughout the season.
• The convivial atmosphere typical of lake sailing, where competition meets passion and friendship among crews.
• Its status as the concluding event, which turns the Trofeo del Lido into the grand finale of the Verbano sailing season.

For those who love sailing and lakeside landscapes, watching the Trofeo del Lido from Belgirate or the nearby villages is an authentic way to experience the sporting culture of the Piedmontese Lake Maggiore.