RS700 European Championship and Blue Garden Riva Cup 2025 at Fraglia Vela Riva

There are regattas and then there's Garda.

The RS700 fleet gathered at the legendary Riva del Garda for the 2025 Blue Garden Riva Cup and RS700 European Championships, where dramatic weather, high-octane racing, and unforgettable socials combined to deliver a week that will be talked about for years to come.

RS700 Euros mixed up - photo © RS Class Association

A wet welcome

Competitors arrived to a boat park drenched by torrential rain and a lake sulking under heavy grey skies. Most of the fleet rolled in by Tuesday lunchtime, greeted by 3-5 knots and a forecast that hinted at better things to come. Rigs went up, bimbling began, and many opted to ease into regatta mode with an early visit to the infamous Bar Al Oca - the unofficial HQ for the fleet all week long.

Blue Garden Riva Cup 2025 RS700 European Championships - photo © RS Class Association

Training day magic

By Wednesday, Garda had rediscovered its mojo. Blue skies and a textbook 15-knot Ora welcomed the sailors for a full training day, giving the fleet the perfect chance to tune up and shake off the rust. Upwind and downwind runs were a joy, and the Czech RIB crew doubled as coaches and on-the-water support.

It was the first time in a while that sailors from across Europe were back on the same stretch of water and you could feel it. Grins, adrenaline and boat-park beers capped off what was, for many, the best non-race day of the week.

Garda duo - Blue Garden Riva Cup 2025 RS700 European Championships - photo © RS Class Association

Day two: Game on

Thursday's racing started in classic Garda fashion: a hot, windless morning, a relaxed 1300 first gun, and the breeze arriving right on cue. The fleet launched into three tight races, with Rob Higgins immediately making his mark at the front. Adam Plhon impressed with a race win to close the day, securing second overall, while James Clark, Pete Purkiss, Matt Connor, and Simon Hawes all posted strong results to keep the leaderboard tight.

Race two delivered start-line drama as Elliot tacked onto Simon, only to slow Simon straight into a failed port flyer involving Guy Bollenger, leading to some polite (and not-so-polite) words and a few penalty turns. Mid-fleet battles were fierce, with Guy, Roland Smith, and Jiri Smrcka vying for mid-fleet hero status.

As the breeze faded in the final race, the bottom third of the fleet timed out, the heavier sailors stranded in shifty holes under the cliffs. Most boats were towed home in near stillness as the sun sank behind the towering mountains. After six hours afloat, the fleet descended on pizza and beer with well-earned hunger.

Blue Garden Riva Cup 2025 RS700 European Championships - photo © RS Class Association

Day three: close quarters and broken gear

Friday followed a similar pattern: a still morning, then the Ora arriving like clockwork at 1300. Three more races were run, each one a battle of speed and smarts. Rob and James had a tight duel at the front, while Pistol Pete Purkiss was turning heads with an incredibly solid day until his kicker gave out in race six, forcing a frustrating retirement.

Roland Smith pushed so hard in race four that he snapped his boom, while Elliot found his stride to claim a top four finish. Matt, Adam, and Marek Dudak all showed serious pace, adding to the pressure on the top ten. At the same time, Eduardo Pivato quietly climbed the standings with a brilliant 7th and 8th, marking him as one to watch in the final shake-up.

Blue Garden Riva Cup 2025 RS700 European Championships - photo © RS Class Association

Final day: wind, wipeouts and winners

Saturday was set up for a showdown and the weather delivered. With points tight across the board, the race committee opted for an earlier start at midday. Garda turned it on with a punchy 16-26 knots, testing fitness, finesse, and gear alike.

The start lines were aggressive, with a strong port bias tempting bold moves. Simon, still remembering day two's start incident, gave Elliot a bit of a surprise with a crash tack on the first beat of race one, sending him swimming mid-leg. In poetic fashion, Elliot responded with his best result of the week a gritty third, charging hard right under the cliffs in full washing-machine mode setting his stall out as the heavy weather specialist.

Rob Higgins, ever the master of consistency, clinched the championship with a race to spare, showing everyone how it's done. Behind him, James Clark and Adam Phlon were locked in a duel for second, with James edging it at the wire.

Meanwhile, Matt Conner's regatta came to a dramatic end when his mast snapped in two at the spreaders during the final race; a cruel blow after a solid week. He was towed back in by the RIB, rig shattered, but spirits unbroken.

Pistol Pete once again showed that experience counts, scoring two more top three finishes and proving a class act in the heavy stuff. Eduardo, in just his first event, sealed the Endeavour Award for grit, gains, and determination.

RS700 Euro Champ Rob Higgins - photo © RS Class Association

A championship to remember

The 2025 RS700 Europeans in Riva had it all: epic conditions, technical racing, close battles, and the unique magic of Lake Garda. From sun-drenched cliff flyers to chaotic starts, broken gear to boat-park beers, it was a week that captured everything great about the class.

Rob Higgins was crowned RS700 European Champion 2025, with James Clark and Adam Phlon completing the podium. But beyond the results, it was the stories, friendships, and laughter that defined the week.

Garda delivered. The fleet delivered. And we'll be back.

Overall Results:

Winners podium - 2nd James Clark, 1st Rob Higgins, 3rd AdamnPhlon - Blue Garden Riva Cup 2025 RS700 European Championships - photo © RS Class Association

RS700 Euros - Happy Fleet - photo © RS Class Association

RS700 Euros HQ - photo © RS Class Association