Ora Cup Ora 2026 at Circolo Vela Arco - Day 1
by Elena Giolai 8 Aug 11:47 PDT
8-10 August 2026
Ora Cup Ora 2026 at Circolo Vela Arco - Day 1 © Elena Giolai
The international Optimist celebration has begun in Arco. Three races on the opening day with a southerly breeze reaching 16 knots. The event concludes on Monday, August 10.
Almost 600 children and young sailors from all over the world, 44 nations represented and an entire community of families, coaches and supporters gathered on Garda Trentino.
Ora Cup Ora 2026 got under way today at Circolo Vela Arco, confirming its place as one of the most popular and highly attended international events on the Optimist summer calendar. Organized by Circolo Vela Arco under the authority of the Italian Sailing Federation, the regatta will continue through Monday, August 10, once again showcasing a formula that goes far beyond the sporting result.
Ora Cup Ora is first and foremost a regatta for young sailors, an experience that involves entire families and, for many, also provides the perfect opportunity to spend a few days on holiday in Italy and on Lake Garda. If there are almost 600 sailors, the smiles easily become at least 1,800 when you include the mums and dads accompanying them and following this wonderful experience from shore. These numbers perfectly reflect the spirit of the event, combining competition, friendship, discovery of the local area and the family atmosphere that has always characterized the regatta organized by Circolo Vela Arco. Over the years, its list of winners has also included Olympic medallists such as Ruggero Tita, as well as other sailors who later became leading names on the international sailing scene.
Following the completion of registration formalities this morning, 44 nations are officially represented. Alongside the strong European participation, teams have travelled to Lake Garda from the Americas, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, the United States, Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Barthélemy; from Asia, with China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Macau and Singapore; from Oceania, with Australia and New Zealand; and from Africa, with Morocco. A truly global line-up for a regatta dedicated to children and young sailors. The opening day delivered ideal racing conditions. The southerly breeze, which also brought some welcome relief from the intense summer heat, built to around 16 knots, allowing all fleets to complete three races. Once again, one of the most impressive sights was the sheer number of sails spread across the Garda Trentino racecourse.
The first results available are those of the Cadet Division B, reserved for the youngest competitors, with 98 sailors on the starting line. After three races, Switzerland's Carlo Milan leads the standings with a second, a third and a race win. He holds a comfortable advantage over Cyprus' Kira Tsaruk and Belgium's Maxime Glorie Farrerons, the latter tied on points with American Arthur Yepes. Valerio Pucci is the leading Italian in seventh place, while Ginevra Casella sits ninth overall.
For the Junior Division A, divided into four fleets of 123 competitors each, the final processing of the results is still under way.
Ora Cup Ora continues on Sunday with the second day of racing and, conditions permitting, up to three more races, before the grand finale on Monday, August 10, when the winners of the 2026 edition will be decided on Garda Trentino.