Optimist Interzonal Selection 2026
The three-day regatta dedicated to the Optimist Interzonal Selection 2026 concluded today at the Yacht Club Italiano, a key event in the youth competitive sailing calendar in Italy.
The Optimist interzonal selections represent a mandatory qualifying stage for young helmsmen aiming to compete at the highest national and international levels. These regattas are designed to identify the best athletes from multiple Zones of the Federazione Italiana Vela, who will then advance to the National Selections, from which the members of the national teams will subsequently be chosen.
Over three intense days of racing, the young Optimist helmsmen from Zones I, XIV, and XV competed for selection. After two days with very light wind, the third and final day greeted the 181 helmsmen with a pleasant tramontana breeze of around 12 knots, allowing the Race Committee to complete three races, decisive in determining the final ranking and awarding the 42 available spots for the National Selection. From this stage, the 12 athletes who will represent Italy at the European and World Championships will be selected.
The final ranking, after four overall races, places Andrea Demurtas (FV Riva) in first, followed by Luca Bonizzoni (SC Garda Salò) in second, and Matteo Mazzola (FV Peschiera) in third. In fourth place, and first among the girls, is Annalie Meoni (FV Malcesine), followed by Ginevra Rovaglia (CN Bardolino), second female, and Gloria Ruffoni (Marvelia SSD), third female.
Carlo Cameli, President of the Yacht Club Italiano, commented: “We are very proud to have hosted the Optimist Interzonal Selection here in Genoa, an event of great importance for Italian youth sailing. In the first three months of this year alone, we have welcomed over 350 young sailors, filling our clubhouse with contagious joy: young people are our future. I would like to thank the Italian Sailing Federation, the Race Committee, our staff, volunteers, coaches, and families for their dedication and passion, which made this event possible.”
