Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2026 : Strambapapà Takes Early Lead as Melges Reunion Opens on Lake Garda

04.07.2026

Three races completed in classic Ora breeze as the Italian Championship gets underway at Fraglia Vela Riva.

03 July 2026, Riva del Garda, Italy - The Melges Reunion got underway in classic Lake Garda fashion as the famous Ora breeze arrived almost on cue after a calm morning, allowing three excellent races to be completed on the opening day of the 2026 Italian Melges 24 National Championship and the seventh event of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series hosted by the Fraglia Vela Riva with the Italian Melges 24 Class and the International Melges 24 Class Association.

Fraglia Vela Riva - Riva del Garda - Melges Reunion 2026

IM24CA/Zerogradinord

Before racing began, competitors gathered for the traditional Skippers’ Briefing at Fraglia Vela Riva, where they were welcomed by Melges Performance Sailboats owner Cate Muller-Terhune, Fraglia Vela Riva Vice President Paolo Matteotti and IM24CA Vice Chair Europe Paolo Brescia.

The opening ceremony also included a heartfelt tribute to the late Bill “Billy” Goldsberry. Former Melges 24 World Champion Richard Clarke, now coaching Michael Goldfarb’s War Canoe, shared a few words in memory of one of the class’s most beloved personalities before the entire fleet observed a moment of silence.

Principal Race Officer Gabriella Gabrielli launched Race 1 precisely on schedule at 1300 hours in a steady 10-knot southerly breeze. As the afternoon progressed, the Ora strengthened to around 12 knots before settling back to approximately 10 knots for the final race of the day, producing spectacular planing conditions downwind and another memorable day of racing on Lake Garda.

PANJIC CRO803 by Luka Šangulin - Melges 24 Italian National Championship 2026 - Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2026 - Fraglia Vela Riva, Riva del Garda, Italy

IM24CA/Zerogradinord

Three different race winners underlined the strength of the 30-boat fleet. Croatia’s Panjić (Luka Sangulin) claimed the opening race, Strambapapà (Michele Paoletti) won Race 2 and Altea (Andrea Racchelli) finished the day with victory in the final race.

ALTEA ITA722 by Andrea Racchelli - Melges 24 Italian National Championship 2026 - Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2026 - Fraglia Vela Riva, Riva del Garda, Italy

IM24CA/Zerogradinord

Consistency, however, proved decisive. Thanks to scores of 7-1-3, former European Champion Michele Paoletti’s Strambapapà leads the overall standings overnight on 11 points. Former World and European Champions Altea climbed to second overall on 16 points after recovering from eleventh place in Race 2 with an impressive victory in the final race, while Melgina, helmed by Paolo Brescia, shares the same score and leads the Corinthian division in third overall.

MELGINA ITA854 by Paolo Brescia - Melges 24 Italian National Championship 2026 - Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2026 - Fraglia Vela Riva, Riva del Garda, Italy

IM24CA/Zerogradinord

Just one point further back, Michael Goldfarb’s War Canoe occupies fourth, followed by Germany’s White Room, Hungary’s Chinook, Croatia’s Panjić, Italy’s Whatever, Croatia’s Razjaren and Italy’s Akua, keeping the leaderboard remarkably close heading into Saturday.

WAR CANOE USA841 by Michael Goldfarb - Melges 24 Italian National Championship 2026 - Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2026 - Fraglia Vela Riva, Riva del Garda, Italy

IM24CA/Zerogradinord

WHITE ROOM GER677 by Michael Tarabochia - Melges 24 Italian National Championship 2026 - Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2026 - Fraglia Vela Riva, Riva del Garda, Italy

IM24CA/Zerogradinord

CHINOOK HUN850 by Akos Csolto - Melges 24 Italian National Championship 2026 - Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2026 - Fraglia Vela Riva, Riva del Garda, Italy

IM24CA/Zerogradinord

One of the newcomers attracting plenty of attention this weekend is Italian owner and former Melges 20 World and European Champion Dario Levi, who recently joined the Melges 24 fleet with Fremito d’Aria, on the boat formerly campaigned as Nefeli. Although the results didn’t fully reflect the team’s pace on opening day, Levi was enthusiastic about both the boat and the class.

Dario Levi helming FREMITO d*ARIA ITA673 - Melges 24 Italian National Championship 2026 - Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2026 - Fraglia Vela Riva, Riva del Garda, Italy

IM24CA/Zerogradinord

“After 13 years of one-design racing, I’ve finally discovered what I believe is the best one-design boat,” said Levi. “I’m really enjoying sailing the Melges 24. The level of competition is incredibly high, and the boat is fantastic, especially downwind. But what impresses me even more is the way the class is managed. Here, the owners have a real voice in shaping the future of the class, and I think that’s one of its greatest strengths.”

Three races are scheduled for Saturday, with a start time of 1 pm. The social part of the event includes the traditional Melges Reunion Party at La Spiaggia degli Olivi at 7.30 pm.