This weekend we hosted the 2026 Optimist Inter-Zonal Selection, three intense days of racing that brought 181 young helmsmen to Genoa from FIV Zones I, XIV, and XV, once again confirming our Club’s role as a key reference point for youth sailing in Italy.
The inter-zonal selections represent a crucial step in the Optimist class competitive pathway, as they allow the top athletes to qualify for the National Selections, from which the members of the Italian teams competing in the European and World Championships will be chosen.
After two days marked by light winds, the third and final day saw a steady northerly breeze of around 12 knots, allowing three decisive races to be completed. This brought the total to four races overall, making it possible to determine the final standings and the 42 sailors admitted to the National Selections.
We are particularly proud to highlight that among the 42 athletes qualified for the National Selections, six sailors are from Yacht Club Italiano—our Club’s best result ever in this selection.
- Gabriele Burlando – 13th place
- Sebastiano Baldassarre – 16th place
- Leonardo Orlandini – 22nd place
- Alice Consolaro – 28th place
- Leonardo Tobia Di Silvestro – 29th place
- Vittorio Cavalleroni – 31st place
An important achievement for our racing team and a testament to the work carried out by our coaches and technical staff.