Mallorcan Luca Nueschen takes bronze at the 2026 Ora Cup Ora

The two Gold Fleet finals turned the junior podium on its head: Spain’s Miguel Echavarri was crowned regatta winner, followed by American sailor Ryan Lee in second place and Mallorcan Luca Nueschen, from Club Nàutic s’Arenal, in third. Almost 600 young sailors from 47 countries and all five continents took part in the Ora Cup Ora, which once again proved to be about much more than the final standings.

The 31st edition of the Ora Cup Ora came to a close on Lake Garda Trentino, organised by Circolo Vela Arco under the authority of the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV). Three days of racing, almost 600 young sailors, 47 countries and representation from all five continents. After two days characterised by a steady southerly breeze, Monday 10 August brought a longer wait. The northerly wind held on until late morning and, once it eased, gave way to the Ora. After quickly repositioning the race course, the Race Committee started the finals despite numerous black-flag starting procedures, premature starts and general recalls. The Junior Gold Fleet, made up of the 123 best sailors from the six qualifying series, managed to complete two races before the 4:00 pm time limit.

The two final races completely reshaped the Junior Division A standings. After the qualifying series, Slovenian sailor Mihael Zobec was leading, while eventual winner Miguel Echavarri was in ninth place. With a 10th and an 8th place in the two finals, Spain’s Miguel Echavarri climbed through the standings to take overall victory, finishing two points ahead of American Ryan Lee. Lee also produced an impressive comeback, moving up from 13th place thanks to a 7th and a 3rd in the finals. Third place went to Mallorcan Luca Nueschen, from Club Nàutic s’Arenal, who started the finals in 16th and finished just five points behind Lee. Slovenian Mihael Zobec, winner of the first final, finished fourth, 18 points off the podium.

Among the girls, Italy’s Annalie Meoni of Fraglia Vela Malcesine delivered an outstanding performance, finishing sixth overall and taking the top female position. Hong Kong’s Margaux Nguyen-Minh was second, eighth overall, while Turkey’s Dilara Koldas took third, finishing ninth overall. Eight countries were represented in the Junior top 10, further confirming the international level of the competition.

In Cadet Division B, which featured 98 competitors, the final race secured victory for Switzerland’s Carlo Milan, who finished four points ahead of Italy’s Valerio Pucci of Club Nautico Marina di Carrara. Pucci also claimed the Armare Ropes Trophy, awarded to the sailor with the best combined result across the two Optimist events held consecutively on Upper Garda: the Trofeo Simone Lombardi, organised by Fraglia Vela Malcesine, and the Ora Cup Ora, organised by Circolo Vela Arco. American Arthur Yepes finished third, while Belgium’s Maxime Glorie Farrerons took fourth, just two points off the podium.

Among the girls, victory went to Turkey’s Ayla Karagulle, fifth overall, ahead of Hong Kong’s Jiahe Liu, seventh overall, and Bulgaria’s Alessandra Vasileva, 12th overall.

Also noteworthy was the participation of the other 10 sailors from the Balearic Islands, representing Reial Club Nàutic del Port de Pollença, Club Marítimo de Mahón, Club Nàutic s’Arenal and Real Club Náutico de Palma.

Circolo Vela Arco President Massimo Cagnoni expressed his satisfaction with the event: “We have reached almost 600 sailors, with 47 countries from every continent, and this is a result that makes us truly proud. Thirty-one editions is a long time. We started at a time, in mid-August, when practically no regattas were being held here on Lake Garda, and seeing these numbers today gives us enormous satisfaction. We have coaches coming from all over the world, and we also receive invitations from other countries to share and replicate this system. There are organisations, such as those in China, that have asked us to exchange experiences with them in an effort to create events of this kind, and we will certainly do so.”

Also attending the prize-giving ceremony were Arco Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Sport Marco Piantoni, and Roberta Prandi, Councillor for Economic Activities, Social, Environmental and Economic Sustainability Projects, and Communication.

However, the sporting results tell only part of the story of the Ora Cup Ora. The teams from 47 countries, the exchange of club flags, families gathering on Lake Garda Trentino and Sunday evening’s grand lottery, which virtually ensured that every participant took home a prize, once again confirmed the special character of this competition.

Over its 31 editions, many of the young sailors who have competed at the Ora Cup Ora have gone on to reach the highest levels of the sport, from the Olympic Games to the America’s Cup and major ocean crossings. But the result that Circolo Vela Arco ultimately wants to leave with every participant is, above all, an experience to remember.

This goal is made possible by the work of the Race Committee, the FIV Protest Committee, the mark-laying team, the race office, the results team, on-water support, logistics and the many Circolo Vela Arco staff members and volunteers who worked tirelessly both on the water and ashore throughout the three-day event.

Because the Ora Cup Ora aims to be a major international regatta, but above all, a regatta to remember.