Gaeta Names 2026 National Optimist Squad for World Championship in Tangier and European Championship in Gdynia
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