In an atmosphere enchanted by the full moon, the “Garda Maḉḉ Race” returns to make sailing enthusiasts dream. This unique nighttime event will take place next weekend, between Saturday, June 22nd and Sunday, June 23rd, starting from the Maratona port in Desenzano.
Born in 1996 thanks to the initiative of some members of the Fraglia Vela Desenzano, led by Andrea Ferrari, the regatta has become a fixed appointment for sailing challenge lovers. The name of the event plays with the term “match”, evoking the great international competitions but also the idea of the “crazy sailors”, ready to sail during a night illuminated only by the moon.
Andrea Ferrari emphasizes how this regatta offers something different from traditional races between buoys: “We sail as they did in the 60s, towards a single buoy located in Riva del Garda. It is a nighttime challenge that lasts about ten hours and culminates with the spectacle of sunrise over the lake.”
The organization of the Garda MaḉḈ involves collaboration between Fraglia Vela Desenzano, Consorzio Garda Trentino Vela, and Lega Navale Italiana section of Riva del Garda. The event also enjoys the patronage of the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV) and the Municipality of Desenzano. Registrations are open until June 19th, and the notice of race is available on the official website fragliavela.it.
The president of Fraglia Vela Desenzano, Stefano Loda, expresses enthusiasm for the event: “The lake at night has a unique charm; the references change under the magic of the full moon. This regatta offers a different perspective: experiencing the lake in a completely new way and facing a personal challenge against the lake itself.”
The program of the event starts on Saturday, June 22nd, with the registration process and the delivery of gadgets. At 6 pm, there will be a mandatory skipper meeting at the Fraglia Vela Desenzano hall, followed by the “Crew Party” at 6:30 pm in the same location. The official start of the regatta is set for 9:30 pm along the Desenzano-Riva-Desenzano route.
The competition must be completed by 4 pm on Sunday, June 23rd. All instructions related to the race will be available online on the portal federvela.coninet.it from June 21st.
The awards ceremony will take place on Friday, June 28th, at 6:30 pm at the Fraglia Vela Desenzano headquarters. The top three finishers in each class or category will be awarded, as well as the overall winner in real time and the first boat in real time at the buoy in Riva del Garda. The first boat in compensated time at the buoy in Riva del Garda and the first boat from Trentino (based on the owner’s club membership) at the buoy in Riva del Garda will also be recognized. The organizing committee may award additional special prizes.
For anyone who wants to witness the spectacle from the shores of Lake Garda during that magical night, it will be possible to see the adventurers sail the waters from Desenzano to Riva or return to Porto Maratona.
Italian Version
