Balearic sailors head to Lake Garda for the 2026 Ora Cup Ora

Sailors from the Reial Club Nàutic del Port de Pollença, Club Marítimo de Mahón, Club Nàutic s’Arenal and Real Club Náutico de Palma will represent the Balearic Islands at one of the summer’s leading international youth sailing regattas.

A total of 501 young sailors, including eleven representatives from the Balearic Islands, will compete in the 2026 Ora Cup Ora from the 8th to the 10th of August on Lake Garda, Italy.

The Balearic team will include athletes from the Reial Club Nàutic del Port de Pollença, Club Marítimo de Mahón, Club Nàutic s’Arenal and Real Club Náutico de Palma. The eleven sailors will face a large international fleet made up of competitors from several countries.

Organised by Circolo Vela Arco, the event is open to Optimist-class boats and brings together sailors in the Junior category, born between 2011 and 2015, and the Cadetti category, for those born in 2016 and 2017.

Activities will begin on Friday, 7th of August, with a preliminary preparation and training day. Official racing will start on Saturday, 8th of August, with the coaches’ meeting scheduled for 11 a.m. and the first warning signal at 1 p.m.

Racing will continue on Sunday, 9th of August, and Monday, 10th of August, when the awards ceremony will also take place. The programme includes a maximum of nine races, with up to three races per day.

The event will be held off the waterfront of Circolo Vela Arco, in the Trentino area of Lake Garda. The venue is regarded as one of Europe’s leading sailing destinations thanks to its scenery and, in particular, the regular Ora wind, which usually blows from the south and gives the competition its name.

The Ora Cup Ora has established itself as one of the most international and attractive summer events on the Optimist calendar. Previous participants include sailors who later reached the highest levels of the sport, such as two-time Olympic champion Ruggero Tita, Women’s America’s Cup winner Giulia Conti and ocean sailor Cecilia Zorzi.

In addition to the sporting competition, the event will feature social activities, post-race pasta parties and the traditional prize draw for young participants. On Sunday, the draw will take place after racing and lunch, while the awards ceremony will be held on Monday, 10th of August, once the competition has concluded.

The eleven Balearic representatives will therefore have the opportunity to compete against some of the leading international prospects in children’s and youth sailing, gain valuable experience in a fleet of more than 500 boats and represent their four clubs at one of Europe’s most iconic sailing venues.