2026 ILCA U21 World Championship, with Antonio Pascali and Alessandro Cirinei, Fraglia Vela Riva celebrates a double gold medal

Lanzarote – Fraglia Vela Riva has already had a slew of successes underway, having barely opened the competitive season—the first training camp for the competitive team was scheduled for today, Sunday, January 25th. Thanks to Antonio Pascali (ILCA 7 U21) and Alessandro Cirinei (ILCA 7 U19), competing in Lanzarote at the 2026 ILCA U21 World Championship, they have won their respective divisions, earning two prestigious world titles in what, in terms of numbers and popularity, is considered the Olympic class par excellence. These are truly remarkable results, confirming the growing momentum of these two athletes, long-time members of the club chaired by Andrea Camin.

Never before had the final day been so decisive, with the eleventh and penultimate race seeing part of the leading group, starting with the early leader, Spaniard Karol Krupski, finish at the back, while Antonio Pascali, skilled at staying in touch with the leaders throughout the event, scored a third place that propelled him into the final race in fourth overall.

The decisive race, sailed under a black flag after several general recalls, produced a thrilling finale. As the wind eased, the positions were partially reshuffled, and the standings underwent a final shakeup. Pascali didn’t let himself be distracted and, putting in another performance of character, finished in sixth place: a result that helped him secure the top step of the podium, ahead of Slovenian Luka Zabukovec and Polish Filip Olszewski.

“This is a fantastic result at the end of an incredibly hard-fought and uncertain Championship right up until the very end: it’s been clear for a while that we’d have to fight until the end and that everything would come down to a handful of points. This is the most important placement of my career to date, and I couldn’t be happier,” commented Antonio Pascali, who then added, “Even though I’m racing single-handed, I have to say that one of the added values ​​was undoubtedly the team: feeling the support of my teammates, with whom I’ve shared so much throughout the season, was fundamental for me. Just as I couldn’t have done without the support of the entire Fraglia Vela Riva, my racing home, whom I thank for always supporting me and pushing me to improve, and of those who cheered me on from home, even with a simple message.”

At the same time, Alessandro Cirinei won the Under 19 title, ahead of the Spaniards Tim Lubat and Sergio García; A remarkable result considering that Cirinei was the only Under 19 to finish in the top ten: his performance earned him ninth place among the ILCA 7.

“The championship was a six-day marathon: the mind counted much more than the legs, despite the strong winds that characterized the event. Antonio and I were infallible: we raced as a team, and when I wasn’t thinking about something, he was the one to remind me, and vice versa. I believe the key to victory is a love for the sport you practice, and in this, we, and Fraglia Vela Riva, are the best. I want to thank my club, which has supported me for a few years now, my coach and mentor Maurone Berteotti, and its members, whom I want to thank for their unwavering support,” commented Alessandro Cirinei.

The Fraglia Vela Riva team also included Mattia Di Lorenzo, for whom the World Championship was his first international competition in ILCA 7, which he joined last October after sailing in ILCA 6. For him, a back-seeded finish was nonetheless useful for his growth, as he himself explained: “I knew it wouldn’t be a brilliant championship, due to my physical condition still based on ILCA 6 and my technique, which, despite it being the same boat, is significantly different. Unfortunately, during the championship, I was more focused on not being ready than on racing, and this sapped a lot of my energy, especially mental energy, which prevented me from giving my best. I’m sorry I disappointed my expectations, but this motivates me to pursue my goal again. Now it’s time to roll up my sleeves and turn fatigue into strength. It’s not over yet.”

Satisfaction was expressed by Mauro Berteotti, Technical Director and coach of the Fraglia Vela Riva ILCA Team: “The boys have done something truly extraordinary. We’re used to working, and doing well, in the Under 16 and Under 19 teams, and with these results we’ve taken a step forward with the ILCA 7 and Under 21 teams. We’ll continue to work, and plan, to grow further. The excellent relationship we’ve established with the Federal coaches is crucial, and it’s also thanks to them that we can pursue more goals.”

“Although the level of our ILCA team is such that it gives us great satisfaction, I think for example of the numerous international successes achieved by our athletes or the participation of Lorenzo Brando Chiavarini and Chiara Benini Floriani in the Paris Games, it is worth underlining that one never gets used to the emotions of success. What was achieved in Lanzarote, on the same day, by Pascali and Cirinei brings with it the sense of something unique, complete and difficult to repeat. It is the consecration of the efforts made by the athletes in refining their skills and for Fraglia, every success is the tangible representation of the achievement of its main objective: to promote the sport of sailing, especially among young people. I am certain that we are managing to achieve this goal, but the financial effort is significant and without the help of the Members, the public body and our sponsors we would not have been able to achieve the incredible results of these last few years. It is a source of pride for all of us to note that the world sees us as the world reference club for youth sailing. On behalf of all Fraglia members Vela Riva, therefore, extends its heartfelt thanks to the two athletes, who have long represented our pennant with unwavering commitment. A special thanks goes to coach Mauro Berteotti, under whose guidance our team continued its growth,” commented Andrea Camin, president of Fraglia Vela Riva.

The triumph of the Fraglia Vela Riva teammates transformed into an Italian supremacy thanks to Ginevra Caracciolo (LNI Napoli)’s victory in the ILCA 6.