Blue Garden Riva Cup, smiling faces, a full program of races and the desire to return
Riva del Garda – With the final races scheduled for Saturday, the 2026 edition of the Blue Garden Riva Cup has been archived. The event enjoyed unexpected success in terms of participation: the number of entrants, determined by the participation of the Korsar, Dyas, 505, RS300, and RS600 classes, increased from just over sixty in 2025 to nearly one hundred this year.
The participants particularly appreciated the work done by the Race Officials, coordinated by Paolo Alquati, and the Fraglia Vela Riva on-water team, the main architects of the program’s completion. This feat was not a foregone conclusion given the unstable weather conditions, which tended towards storms on Thursday and a lack of wind on Friday. The class representatives acknowledged the tenacity of Fausto Maroni, who accurately predicted the arrival and variations of the breeze.
Among the 505s, which featured more than forty crews at the start, the team led by Britain’s Paul Bortherton took the win, followed six points behind by fellow British Michael Sims and the American Mike Holt.
Despite the small number of boats competing, the Dyas were a major contender, with a three-point margin separating the first-placed boat of German Jens Olbrisch from the second-placed boat, led by Arndt Fingerhut. Eckard Meyer’s team finished third.
Among the Korsars, where the entry list was entirely German, victory did not escape Dirk Braun, who took first place ahead of Denis Tratschel and Stephan Artl.
The RS300 and RS600, with all-British entries, crowned Richard Hanby and Jamie Mawson the winners. Completing the first-place podium were David Acres and Peter Mackin, while in the second-placed boats, George Smith and Will Russell took silver and bronze.
There are many classes active in the diverse world of sailing, and the Blue Garden Riva Cup deserves credit for having brought together five of them. While relatively unknown in Italy, they boast numerous fans beyond the national borders. These sailors, as evidenced by the rapidly growing number of members, eagerly await their return to Garda and Fraglia Vela Riva to enjoy both the Peler and Ora winds, as well as what the club, and Riva del Garda in general, has to offer. This time of year, less affected by mass tourism, has a positive impact on the local business community. It was a pleasure to share this success with an important partner like the Blue Garden Commercial Park,” commented Chiara Carloni, president of Fraglia Vela Riva.
“The events organized by Fraglia Vela Riva represent an important opportunity to promote the area and the sport, attracting participants and enthusiasts from around the world every year. These initiatives generate excitement and attention for the city of Riva del Garda and its communities. For this reason, we have chosen to continue the collaboration we began a few years ago for the Country Cup, an event whose awards ceremony we are pleased to have hosted again this year,” said Giorgia Bagagli, director of the Blue Garden Shopping Center.
Strategically located, the Blue Garden Shopping Center, a partner of Fraglia Vela Riva and the Riva Cup, managed by Studio Conte s.r.l., is a hub for shopping and services in Riva del Garda. It hosts numerous retail outlets, dining options, and a panoramic terrace overlooking the lake. The facility stands out for its wide and diverse offerings, designed to meet the needs of residents and visitors, with particular attention to comfort, accessibility, and services. These include free parking, electric vehicle charging stations, and a food court with options to suit all tastes. Blue Garden thus confirms its role as a commercial and social hub for the area, combining functionality, innovation, and attention to the visitor experience, just steps from the lake.
