2026 Tornado Europeans - Meeting the crews

Tornado Europeans © International Tornado Class Association

With the 2026 Tornado Europeans less than two weeks away, we’re excited to introduce the crews that have already registered and are getting ready to race on Lake Garda.

19 crews are already on the entry list. 11 nations. And one European title to fight for on Lake Garda.

We're still waiting for 10 more crews to join the fleet, but there's already plenty of experience, champions, and some very interesting combinations in the mix.

Here's a look at who has entered so far:

The defending champions - Brother and sister

Michaela Pavlisova & Marek Pavlis return to defend their 2025 European title. They know what it takes to win — but this time, everyone will be looking to beat them.

Can they do it again?

Father and son - The Betz Challenge

Markus & Nikolas Betz are coming to Garda with plenty of confidence. Fresh and carrying the 2026 World Champion title, they are coming with experience and the ambition to challenge the established names.

The 2025 World Champions — Mavros and Parianos

Nikolaos Mavros & Polydoros Parianos arrive as the reigning World Champions after taking the 2025 Worlds title. They know how to win. Now they want the European crown.

The Multi-Time Champions — Trigonis and Kazantzis

Konstantinos Trigonis & Konstantinos Kazantzis are bringing a huge championship pedigree to the starting line. They won the Tornado World Championship in 2021 and 2022, and Trigonis has been one of the dominant names in Tornado sailing for years. They also showed their speed at the 2025 Worlds, taking 2 race victories and staying in 6th place, having to overcome two UFDs. They know how to fight. You can never count them out.

The Steiners - Always in the fight

Marcel & Jörg Steiner are another crew one should not overlook, having finished 3rd at the 2023 Tornado Worlds together, and with Marcel having a more impressive medal collection.

Another Pavlis crew — Father and daughter

The defending champions aren't the only Pavlis crew in the fleet. Zdenek Pavlis & Klara Pavlisova will also be fighting for the title — giving Czechia a powerful double threat, entering the Europeans after their Silver Medal in the Worlds last month.

The Home Challengers

Three Italian crews will be racing on Lake Garda, ready to make the most of home waters:

• Mirco Mazzini and Andrea Ciavatta
• Edoardo Trere' and Daniele Stargiotti
• Andrea Trere' and Lukas Kraus

But the challengers are coming from all across Europe and beyond...

Belgium - Coppens & Coppens

Jan & Emma Coppens arrive after Jan's 3rd-place finish at the Mixed World Championship. A podium finish behind them — and now another championship challenge ahead.

Australia / Germany - Gamble and Jansen

Allan Gamble and Imke Jansen come to Lake Garda with serious momentum. Allan is arriving after securing his 3rd World title this year. That is some championship pedigree to bring to the starting line!

Great Britain / Netherlands — Bennett and Van Goor

Joseph Bennett & Max Van Goor will not only be fighting on the water — Joe will also be bringing the fleet and the championship to life through his social media coverage. Follow them closely... there should be plenty to see!

Austria - The Kopp Duo

Dominik & Florian Kopp father and son duo are ready to challenge the fleet and bring a strong Austrian entry into the battle.

San Marino - Selva and Paci

Samuele Selva returns to the Tornado Europeans, but this time with a new partner at his side. Matteo Paci joins the boat, forming a new San Marino combination ready to test themselves against the European fleet on Lake Garda.

Switzerland — Cuanillon and Gloor

Jean-Marc Cuanillon & Michael Gloor complete the international challenge from Switzerland, ready to throw themselves into the fight.

Czech Republic — Hanak and Hadasova

Vladimir Hanak & Jana Hadasova will be looking to make their mark in the Mixed Championship — but they will have an ambitious mixed crew pushing them hard...

Greece - The Rising Mixed Challenge

Ioannis Diamantopoulos & Eleni Dimopoulou are one of the crews to watch. A rising mixed team, bringing fresh energy and ambition to the Tornado, making their Tornado Europeans debut.

Spain - García Agudo and Serra García

Roque García Agudo & Vicent Jaume Serra García are coming to Lake Garda ready to race hard... and, if we know them right, party even harder!

Every championship needs a crew bringing some extra character to the fleet — Spain has that covered!

Last but certainly not least... A last-minute entry is coming from Greece.

Michalis Papadopoulos is joining the battle on Lake Garda — a sailor with a strong Tornado history and multiple Mixed World Championship podium finishes already on his résumé. But there is one big question still unanswered... WHO WILL BE HIS CREW?

His partner is still TBA — and that makes this one of the most intriguing entries in the fleet.

And that's the first 19.

More crews are still to come. Entries are still open!

View the event website