The 2026 Optimist European Team Racing Championship burst into life on the waters of Lake Garda, with Türkiye and Spain sharing the lead after an action-packed opening day in Campione del Garda, Italy. A remarkable 68 races were completed as 16 European nations went head to head in one of the most tactical and exciting formats in youth sailing.
After a full day of intense competition in shifting wind conditions, Türkiye and Spain sit tied on points atop the provisional standings. Croatia holds third place, while host nation Italy occupies fourth and Poland rounds out the top five.
The championship has drawn 64 young sailors from 16 European nations, each country fielding a team of four competitors. Team racing demands exceptional teamwork, communication, tactical decision-making and cooperation, with every position on the racecourse capable of swinging the result between victory and defeat.
The Race Committee made the most of the conditions, running two sessions across the day. A northerly breeze in the morning got racing underway before teams returned ashore, while the afternoon brought a shift to southerly winds, presenting a fresh set of tactical challenges for the young competitors. By the close of play, an impressive 68 races had been completed, setting a strong tempo for the days ahead.
Türkiye is represented by Elif Terece, Ada Vera Tüfekçiler, Ahmet Arel Barut and Cengiz Eren Güvenç. The Spanish team comprises Pedro Burgues Pastor, Mary Anne Osha Perez, Maria de Lluc Bestard Mas and Jan Palou Espinar. Croatia enjoyed a strong showing through Albert Lebinac, Ana Perušić, Rita Lukarić and Matija Borčić, who secured provisional third.
Host nation Italy, with Matteo Faraoni, Marta Pisoni, Annalie Meoni and Filippo Nardocci, finished the day in fourth, closely trailed by Poland in fifth. With several days of racing still to come, the battle for the European title remains wide open.
The 16 competing nations are Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Türkiye. The championship is organised by Univela Sailing under the auspices of the Italian Sailing Federation, with the support of Regione Lombardia and in cooperation with the International Optimist Dinghy Association.
The spectacular setting of Campione del Garda, framed by the mountains surrounding Lake Garda, provides a magnificent backdrop for this international showdown. Racing resumes on Thursday, 15 October, with more thrilling team racing expected as the nations continue their pursuit of glory. The championship concludes on 17 October, when the 2026 Optimist European Team Racing Champions will be crowned.
