This weekend the second edition of the Sprint Cup-Trofeo Rothoblaas opens the week of the 44th Garda Optimist Meeting
Riva del Garda – The most eagerly awaited event in the youth sailing movement begins this weekend: the 44th edition of the Garda Optimist Meeting will be introduced by the Sprint Cup-Rothoblaas Trophy, whose iconic trophy will be up for grabs for the second time.
Conceived as a dynamic and original “appetizer” to the great event organized by Fraglia Vela Riva, the Sprint Cup-Rothoblaas Trophy stands out from all other regattas thanks to its unique format. At the end of each race, half of the lowest-placed participants will be eliminated, culminating in the creation of a fleet of ten sailors. On the afternoon of Sunday, March 29, they will compete for overall victory, succeeding Andrea Demurtas of Fraglia Vela Riva in the roll of honor.
There are currently around fifty registered participants, but there are still several hours to go until registration closes, and many more are expected today. As proof of this, it’s worth noting that the 44th edition of the Garda Optimist Meeting, scheduled for Thursday, April 2nd, to Sunday, April 5th, has surpassed the symbolic limit of one thousand participants, representing over forty nations.
As a reminder, separating the Sprint Cup-Rothoblaas Trophy from the actual Meeting will be the Country Cup, as per tradition: now in its twelfth edition, on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 1st, the regatta will feature a representative from each of the nations represented at the Meeting over three races. Once again, the winner of the 2025 edition was Andrea Demurtas.
“The most anticipated week of our racing season is upon us: seeing Riva del Garda, and our headquarters, come alive and awash with the colors of youth, is always irresistible. This sentiment is shared by many, considering that the Garda Optimist Meeting, with over a thousand participants, confirms its role as a catalyst for youth sailing. I believe this is yet another demonstration of how sailing can be a significant boost for tourism, even during the low season. By extending the event over two weekends, thanks to the success of the Sprint Cup-Rothoblaas Trophy, which we are returning to, we are involving a greater number of athletes and companions, ensuring greater continuity of tourist attendance. This will not only enrich the experience for all participants, but will also have a significant economic impact: this year alone, attendance is estimated to exceed 30,000,” commented Fraglia Vela Riva President Andrea Camin.
