Spain crowned Optimist European Team Racing champions in Campione del Garda

Spain defeat Türkiye 2–0 in the final to secure the European title. Italy claim bronze with a 2–0 victory over Poland.

Campione del Garda, 17 October – Spain won the Optimist European Team Racing Championship with a composed performance on the fourth and final day, defeating Türkiye 2–0 in the title-deciding series. Italy completed the podium after beating Poland 2–0 in the third-place match.

After three days of racing had established the four title contenders, the championship moved into its decisive knockout stage. Spain faced Italy in one semi-final, while Türkiye took on Poland in the other, with both series contested in a best-of-three format.

Spain and Türkiye advance to the final

Spain carried strong form into their semi-final against Italy, securing the series and a place in the final. For the Italian team, defeat meant a final opportunity to race for a podium finish against the losing team from the other semi-final.

Türkiye, who had led the standings heading into the final day after an unbeaten third day, continued their strong run by overcoming Poland. That result set up a title showdown between the two teams that had occupied the leading positions throughout the championship.

Italy secure bronze with two straight wins

Italy responded to their semi-final defeat with a decisive performance against Poland. Matteo Faraoni, Marta Pisoni, Annalie Meoni and Filippo Nardocci won the third-place series 2–0 to secure the bronze medal for the host nation.

The result completed Italy’s progression from fourth place after the opening day to a podium finish at the conclusion of the championship. Poland finished fourth, having reached the final day among the four teams still in contention for the title.

Composed Spain take the title

In the final, Spain delivered two consecutive wins against Türkiye to claim the European crown. Pedro Burgues Pastor, Mary Anne Osha Perez, Maria de Lluc Bestard Mas and Jan Palou Espinar showed composure and clarity under pressure, closing out the series without the need for a deciding race.

Türkiye finished with silver after a championship spent at the front of the fleet. Their consistent performances carried them into the final, but Spain proved the stronger team in the decisive series.

Sixteen nations complete four days of competition

Greece finished fifth ahead of Switzerland, France and Croatia. Germany secured ninth place, followed by Sweden, Hungary, Portugal, Denmark, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Great Britain.

The championship brought together 64 young sailors from 16 nations in Campione del Garda from 13 to 17 October. Across the four racing days, the competition progressed from the opening round robin through the Gold and Silver fleet stage to the semi-finals and medal-deciding matches.

Final standings

1. Spain
2. Türkiye
3. Italy
4. Poland
5. Greece
6. Switzerland
7. France
8. Croatia
9. Germany
10. Sweden
11. Hungary
12. Portugal
13. Denmark
14. Slovenia
15. Netherlands
16. Great Britain

The Optimist European Team Racing Championship was organised by Univela under the auspices of the Italian Sailing Federation, with support from Regione Lombardia and in cooperation with IODA, the International Optimist Dinghy Association.

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