For the first time ever, the ETF26 SERIES made a stop in Riva del Garda, Italy — and what a debut it was. Hosted in one of Europe’s most stunning sailing arenas, this edition also marked a special milestone: the first ETF26 event to be officially labeled as a EUROSAF European Championship.
The breathtaking beauty of Lake Garda came with its share of challenges. Unstable weather conditions, heavy thunderstorms, and constantly shifting wind patterns kept sailors and tacticians on high alert. Over the course of 17 intense races, the leaderboard remained in flux, with the top positions changing nearly every round.
In fact, the European title was only decided in the very last race of the event, when K-Challenge Blue / All Accor L’Oréal, skippered by Enzo Balanger, snatched the lead and secured the overall win.
“With so many unpredictable shifts, the entire fleet had to be constantly watching for breeze, clouds, and every little clue from the lake,” shared Charles Dorange . “It was absolutely thrilling.”
Despite the tricky conditions, Garda still delivered: sailors experienced incredible foiling moments. The final results reflect the high level of racing and the extremely tight competition across the fleet:
FINAL RANKING – ETF26 EUROSAF European Championship
(Based on 17 races)
🥇 1st – K-Challenge Blue / All Accor L’Oréal (FRA) – 35 pts
🥈 2nd – Entreprises du Morbihan (FRA) – 44 pts
🥉 3rd – Blueshift Sailing Team (BEL) – 49 pts
4th – Toroa Racing Team (GBR) – 67 pts
5th – Geronimo Sailing Team (ITA) – 68 pts
6th – Sansin Sailing Team (CAN) – 75 pts
7th – K-Challenge White / All Accor L’Oréal (FRA) – 91 pts
All teams leave Riva del Garda with full hearts and tired legs, it’s been a demanding but unforgettable event. The scenery, the competition, and the electric atmosphere made this first European Championship one to remember.
Next stop? We head back to familiar waters with the Grand Prix Mar Menor in Spain, and the fight for the overall season title is far from over.
