Desenzano is preparing to host an internationally renowned sports event: the World University Sailing Championship, which will take place from June 5th to June 9th in the waters of Lake Garda. The initiative is organized by the Fraglia Vela Desenzano in collaboration with CUS Brescia.
The event will begin on Wednesday, June 5th with an official parade featuring all the participating teams parading through the streets of Desenzano’s historic center. The opening ceremony, scheduled for 6:30 pm in Piazza Cappelletti, will be followed by an evening with a buffet and music at the Fraglia Vela Club.
The 2024 edition will see the participation of sixteen university crews from fourteen different countries. Italy will be represented by two teams from the Fraglia Vela Desenzano. The other participating countries include Canada (with two teams), Singapore, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Japan, Croatia, Poland, Malaysia, Australia, Ireland, and China.
The championship will feature fleet races held over the first three days to determine the finalists who will compete on June 9th. The boats used will be the Dolphin 81, a one-design boat designed by Desenzano-based designer Ettore Santarelli and produced by the Brescia-based shipyard Maxi Dolphin. Stefano Loda, president of the Fraglia Vela Desenzano, emphasized the importance of choosing the Dolphin 81 to enhance the local territory and offer young sailors a unique experience.
Each day, the crews will be divided into two groups to ensure everyone has the opportunity to compete on different boats. Six races are planned each day (three for each group), weather permitting. On Sunday, the “gold” and “silver” rankings will be drawn up to determine the final winners.
Enthusiasts will be able to follow the races along the entire coast from Desenzano to Manerba and Sirmione. The exact racecourse will depend on the weather conditions. For those who cannot be there in person, the event can be followed on the Fraglia Vela’s social media channels and on the FISU website.
Loda expressed the hope that this event will involve the entire local community, stating, “It will be a memorable occasion for both young and old.”
The Fraglia Vela Desenzano has already planned another important event: the “Garda Maçç” night regatta, scheduled for the weekend of June 22nd-23rd. This race will start at 9:30 pm from Desenzano with the finish line in Riva del Garda before returning to the starting point. An extraordinary opportunity to sail under the stars and enjoy the nighttime beauty of Lake Garda.
Italian Version
