Press Release

Lake Garda Sets the Foil World Ablaze: Campione del Garda Makes History at the Lombardia Foil Grand Prix 2026

45 athletes, three days of pure adrenaline and the first champions of the year — and the show goes on until June 13th with the ETF26 foiling catamarans

Campione del Garda (BS) | 5–7 June 2026 | Wingfoil · Kitefoil

Three days of outstanding foil sailing, unpredictable winds and pure spectacle on the waters of Lake Garda. From 5 to 7 June 2026, Campione del Garda hosted the first part of the Lombardia Foil Grand Prix 2026, with the Wingfoil and Kitefoil classes as the protagonists of an intense and hard-fought competition. The event is far from over: from 9 to 13 June, the same waters of Lake Garda will welcome the fast ETF26 foiling catamarans for the grand finale of this extraordinary event.

A Record Fleet for the Wingfoil

With 38 registered competitors, the Wingfoil class recorded an extraordinary turnout, confirming the exponential growth of this discipline in the national sailing scene. Lake Garda offered different conditions every day — as only Garda can in this season — testing the technique and adaptability of every athlete across 12 races sailed.

The winner was Michele Capitani (ITA 29 – Tognazzi Marine Village), who finished with just 12 net points, dominating the fleet from start to finish. On the podium with him Alessandro José Tomasi (ITA 48 – F.V. Riva) and Francesco Cappuzzo (ITA 33 – ASD Reef), both on 17 net points in a tight battle for second place.

Wingfoil Winner: Michele Capitani – Tognazzi Marine Village – 12 net points

Wingfoil – Top 10

Top Female Wingfoil: Marta Monge (10th overall) – Club del Mare Diano Marina | followed by Yana Li (China Sailing Team, 11th overall)

Kitefoil: Chieffo Leads a Tight Fleet

Seven athletes took to the start in the Kitefoil, with an equally thrilling battle across 12 races. Massimo Chieffo (ITA 52 – Tognazzi Marine Village) asserted himself with authority, finishing on 13 net points. Behind him Simone Romano (ITA 55 – Lega Navale Italiana Sestri Levante) and Luis Houze (ITA 57 – Club Nautico Rimini), separated by just one point.

Kitefoil Winner: Massimo Chieffo – Tognazzi Marine Village – 13 net points

Kitefoil – Full Results

Top Female Kitefoil: Elisa Houze (7th overall) – Club Nautico Rimini

Lake Garda: Natural Stage for Foil Sailing

Weather conditions made this first part particularly challenging and fascinating: variable winds, morning thermals and afternoon gusts wrote a different script every day, rewarding the most technically complete and tactically sharp athletes. Campione del Garda confirms itself as one of the most iconic venues for high-performance sailing on Lake Garda.

Next Up: The ETF26

The first part of the Lombardia Foil Grand Prix 2026 closes with outstanding results, but the event is far from over. From 9 to 13 June, Campione del Garda will once again take centre stage with the ETF26 foiling catamarans, the most technologically advanced and spectacular boats in the fleet. Stay tuned on our channels to follow the full season.

Acknowledgements

An event of this scale is only possible thanks to the generosity and collaboration of those who believe in the value of sport and the local territory. Univela Sailing would like to warmly thank:

• Regione Lombardia, for its institutional support and shared vision in promoting sport and active tourism across the Lombardy region
• The Municipality of Tignale, for its availability and collaboration in hosting and supporting the event
• Azienda Agricola Alpe del Garda, for the valuable partnership and contribution to showcasing local excellence
• Pro Loco Tremosine, for its commitment to promoting the local area and supporting the organisation
• All the volunteers who with enthusiasm, dedication and team spirit made the success of this event possible

Univela Sailing SSD a r.l. – Campione del Garda (BS)

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