The Optimist National Team Selection 2026 concluded on Sunday, May 10, with the second leg at Yacht Club Gaeta after the Trapani stage. After a wait for suitable conditions, the Regatta Committee completed two more races in Gaeta, bringing the Gaeta stage to 7 regattas and the total to 16 regattas considered for the final ranking (9 in Trapani, 7 in Gaeta), which determined Italy’s representatives for the upcoming world and European championships.
World Championship in Tangier (June 18-28): Matteo Mazzola (FV Peschiera), Nicola di Pilla (CV Bari), Luca Bonizzoni (SC Garda Salò), Andrea Demurtas (FV Riva), and Carol Veneri (CV Bari). European Championship in Gdynia (July 24-31): Raffaele Nugnes (LNI Napoli), Giorgio Nibbi (CN Sanbenedettese), Michele De Michele (CV Bari), Filippo Nardocci (LNI Ostia), Annalie Meoni (FV Malcesine), Guia Legisa (SV Barcola e Grignano), and Maria Carolina Vanzanella (RYC Canottieri Savoia). National coach Marcello Meringolo described the selection as competitive and noted progression of several athletes; the rest of the fleet will regroup at the Kinder Trophy in Cervia from May 31 to June 2.
Italian Version
