Notice of Race for the 76th CentoMiglia Internazionale del Garda published
by Elena Giolai 8 Apr 08:35 PDT
5-6 September 2026
75th CentoMiglia Internazionale del Garda © Elena Giolai
The regatta organized by Circolo Vela Gargnano, with the technical support of the Italian Sailing Federation XIV Zone Committee, confirms its two-day format, introduces several course updates and adopts the Time on Time scoring system to ensure greater balance, also for medium and smaller boats.
The Notice of Race for the 76th CentoMiglia Internazionale del Garda has been officially published. The historic regatta, organized by Circolo Vela Gargnano under the authority of the Italian Sailing Federation, will take place on Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6, 2026. This marks the first official step toward a new edition of the lake's iconic race, once again held over two days and, as tradition dictates, built through the collaboration of numerous sailing clubs and organizations across Lake Garda, involving Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino.
This year's edition is made possible thanks to the support of the Municipality of Gargnano, local institutions and a group of prestigious partners. The main sponsor is Fineco, one of Europe's leading fintech banks. Supporting partners include Cantiere del Pardo, Consorzio Valtènesi, Acqua Tavina, Hotel Eala My Lakeside Dream and the Carolina Zani Melanoma Foundation, all sharing the values of excellence, innovation and strong connection with the territory promoted by the CentoMiglia.
The 76th edition confirms a format that combines tradition with technical evolution. Among the most relevant updates for 2026 are several course changes. On the Verona shore, the mark will move from Brenzone to Malcesine, in the Navene area. In Trentino, two marks will be set approximately half a mile apart, off Circolo Surf Torbole and Circolo Vela Torbole. The Desenzano mark on the southern part of the lake remains unchanged.
From a sporting perspective, the 2026 edition continues along the path introduced last year, when ORC-based scoring was adopted. This year, however, an important update has been introduced: results will be calculated using the ORC All Purpose Time on Time system, replacing the previous Time on Distance method. This choice aims to keep the rankings open until the final boats finish, offering more competitive opportunities to medium and smaller yachts, while still leaving a decisive role to wind and lake conditions.
Entries will open on April 15 and close on September 1, 2026. A single entry will cover both races, the Trofeo Gargnano on Saturday and the Trofeo Gorla on Sunday. Among the new features is a reduced entry fee for Double Handed boats, sailed by a crew of two, confirming the intention to further widen participation.
The Notice of Race also confirms the prize structure. Line honours will be awarded in both races to the first boat finishing in real time, while the Trofeo Bettoni will go to the overall winner of the 76th CentoMiglia, based on the combined ORC Overall results of the two races. A dedicated ORC Double Handed ranking is also confirmed, awarding the Trofeo Beppe Croce.
But which boats will be in contention for overall victory? Last year, Carpediem Cube, a Psaros 33 helmed by Luc Munier, secured the ORC Overall title. Behind her, Topas Squirt, a Cape 31 helmed by Harald Brüning, winner of the Trofeo Gorla, finished second, while Evanesse, another Psaros 33 helmed by Patrik Herzig, completed the podium. The 2025 results already highlighted an exciting battle between the fast Swiss Psaros 33s and the Cape 31, a South African design that proved immediately competitive on Lake Garda.
If the Cape 31 fleet continues to grow, a new high-level showdown could emerge, but the picture may be even more open. Modified Asso 99 boats, already close to the podium last year with Idefix, could once again be key contenders. Attention will also be on the Melges 24, expected to be well represented, and on the always competitive Melges 32, boats that often perform strongly under ORC.
Another interesting aspect will be the Double Handed entries. Among them, the modified Protagonist Spirito Libero, overall winner of the Trofeo Bianchi in Gargnano this year, could play an important role. Offshore sailing has already shown that two-person crews can compete at the highest level, and the overall victory of Min River at the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race stands as a clear example.
Lake Garda, however, has always been known for reshuffling the cards. In 2026, the most representative local classes, from Asso 99 to Dolphin 81, together with smaller but well-performing boats, could once again be in the mix, also thanks to the ORC Time on Time system introduced for this edition.
The publication of the Notice of Race marks the first concrete step toward an edition that aims to further strengthen the unique character of the CentoMiglia. A regatta capable of involving the entire lake, bringing together clubs, territories and different organizational skills, while continuing to evolve both technically and in terms of participation. All within a strong tradition that continues to look ahead.
Notice of Race