Lake Garda - Sport & outdoor

Youth Sailing World Championships: here’s how it went

From July 13 to 20, 2024, Lake Garda hosted one of the most anticipated events on the international sailing calendar: the Youth Sailing World Championships. Hundreds of sailors under 19, representing over 75 countries, competed in a week of breathtaking races. The competitions were organized in collaboration with various local clubs, including Fraglia Vela Riva and Circolo Vela Torbole.

Among the winners of the 11 disciplines were many promising Italian sailors. Let’s discover the young Italian champions who won a gold medal at this edition of the Youth Sailing World Championship.

 

 

Azzurri Wave: Italian Gold Medals

 

The 2024 Youth Sailing World Championships saw an extraordinary performance by the Italian team, which dominated the waters of Lake Garda with six gold medals. Rising windsurfing stars Freddy Pilloni and Carola Colasanto dominated the men’s and women’s iQFOiL categories. In the 420 class, the duo Lisa Vucetti and Vittorio Bonifacio won the world title, establishing themselves as one of the most promising teams in the sailing scene.

In the ILCA 6 single-handed class, the grit and determination of Maria Vittoria Arseni and Antonio Pascali brought Italy two more precious golds, confirming a flawless week of racing. The mixed Nacra 15 catamaran saw Lorenzo Sirena and Alice Dessy triumph with three first places in the final races.

This extraordinary success allowed the young Italian champions to raise the prestigious Nations Trophy for the second consecutive year, showcasing the talent of the Azzurri team on the international stage.

 

 

Lake Garda in the Spotlight

Not only competitions. During the races, Lake Garda transformed into a true Olympic village, with exhibitions, events, and great public participation. The Youth Sailing World Championship not only offered an exceptional platform to showcase sailing talents but also provided an opportunity to introduce the world to the historic centers, quality services, bike paths, mountains, and via ferratas that Alto Garda has to offer.

The event’s four ambassadors – Nicolò Renna, Chiara Benini Floriani, Giorgia Bertuzzi, and Olympic champion Ruggero Tita – represented the excellence of Italian sailing and were key figures in promoting the event. The visibility offered by the championship made Lake Garda shine as a hub of international sailing, attracting many enthusiasts and tourists and consolidating its reputation as a premier destination for water sports.

 

 

Champions from Around the World at Residence Centro Vela

 

At Residence Centro Vela, we had the honor of hosting the athletes of the Italian national sailing team and their coach Alessandra Sensini, Olympic windsurfing champion.

Not only that, but we were also chosen as the base for the Emerging Nations, welcoming athletes from China, Israel, Ukraine, Hong Kong, Antigua, Barbados, Peru, Jordan, and Chile.

For the youngsters, it was a unique opportunity not only from a sporting perspective but also – and above all – from a human perspective. This variety of cultures enriched the event, creating an atmosphere of sharing and intercultural exchange. The Italian Sailing Federation provided international coaches to the young talents of the Emerging Nations, supporting their training and facilitating their participation in this “Olympics” of youth sailing. As the host of the teams, we are happy to have contributed to the training and integration of emerging sailors on the international scene.

 

 

The 2024 Youth Sailing World Championships represented not only an important showcase for young sailing talents but also an event that celebrated cultural diversity and the beauty of Lake Garda. With such a rich and varied experience, this year’s edition is confirmed as one of the most memorable in the history of the competition.