Winter sailing: regattas in Liguria
Winter regattas in Liguria: from west to east, there is no shortage of excitement on the sea
In Liguria there is never a shortage of wind!
Those seeking the best conditions for a regatta have a simple choice, west or east? Here is a short calendar of the most important races in different classes.
Tigullio Winter Championship
The Tigullio Winter Championship celebrates the 50th edition of this historic offshore sailing event, scheduled from Saturday 8 November 2025 to Sunday 15 February 2026. The organisation is the responsibility of the Tigullio Sailing Clubs Committee, comprising CN Lavagna, CN Rapallo, CV Santa Margherita Ligure, Lega Navale Chiavari-Lavagna, Lega Navale Rapallo, Lega Navale Santa Margherita Ligure, Lega Navale Italiana Sestri Levante, YC Chiavari, YC Italiano and YC Sestri Levante. An achievement that bears the signature of Franco Noceti, who has been at the helm of the organising committee for many years. Once again this year, the focus is on the passion of owners, sailors and crew members, who find ideal conditions for racing and competing in the Tigullio Winter Meet every year.
The crews will compete in the classes ORC, IRC, one-design and FIV rating, in two heats lasting three weekends each. The first is scheduled for Sunday 9 November, Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December 2025 (with prize-giving and crowning of the autumn champions). The second will be held on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 January, Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 February 2026 (with prize-giving and crowning of the winter champions). Throughout the event, the Sunday races will start at 9 a.m., and the Saturday races at 11 a.m.
TIgullio Winter Championship
Marina di Loano Winter Championship
Now in its eighth edition, it is organised by Circolo Nautico Loano with the support of the sponsor Marina di Loano and Yacht Club Marina di Loano, and sponsored by the municipality of Loano.
The Championship will take place over six weekends with one or more races to be contested on each day, with a maximum of 24 races in total. Entry, valid for the entire championship, is permitted in ORC and IRC categories to boats in possession of valid tonnage certificates.
The regatta programme: 15-16 November 2025; 29-30 November; 6-7 December; 10-11 January 2026; 24-25 January; 7-8 February.
The Race Notice is available at www.circolonauticoloano.it and www.marinadiloano.it.
Marina di Loano Winter Championshiop
Autunno In Regata + Gorilla Gang Cup & Statari Trophy – West Liguria Winter Championship
On Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November 2025, the waters of the Riviera dei Fiori between Ventimiglia and Sanremo will host a new edition of the Gorilla Gang Cup, a regatta created to bring young people closer to the sea: two days of competitions and events on land with an innovative formula in a stretch of water that, at the start of winter, offers enviable weather conditions for the rest of the country.
Autumn Gorilla Gang West
Meeting Internazionale del Mediterraneo
Now in its 41st edition, the Meeting Internazionale del Mediterraneo is a challenge between young crews from all over Europe reserved for the Optimist class: an unmissable appointment in the waters of Sanremo that has been held for 41 years. Appointment at the Sanremo Yacht Club from Saturday 6 to Monday 8 December 2025..
Meeting Internazionale del Mediterraneo
Dragon Winter Series 2025-2026, Leg 2, Leg 3 and Leg 4
The Dragon is the most popular one-design racing yacht in the world: designed by Johan Anker in 1929, it can now boast over 80 years of history. Today’s great Dragon races pass through San Remo with the Dragon Winter Series, Leg 2 on 12-14 December 2025. The challenges on the waves of the Ligurian Sea will then continue in 2026 with the two legs on 9-11 January (Leg 3) and 30 January-1 February (Leg 4) in anticipation of the Italian International Dragon Cup.
Yatch Club San Remo – Dragons
International Genoa Winter Contest – Optimist and ILCA 2026 classes
From Friday 30 January to Sunday 1 February 2026: three intense days of racing in the waters of Lido di Albaro in Genoa, during the most favourable weather period of the year, provide the ideal opportunity to prepare for the season. Thanks to the optimal sea and wind conditions and the high number of participants, the Genoa Winter Contest for Optimist classes is confirmed as a technical event of the highest level. TheInternational Genoa Winter Contest ILCA classes will instead be held – once again in the waters of the Lido di Albaro – on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February 2026.
International Genoa Winter Contest
The Carnival Race – classes 420&470
From Thursday 12 to Monday 16 February 2026: four days of competition in the waters off the port of Marina degli Aregai. The “The Carnival Race”, one of the world’s most crowded regattas reserved for the 420&470 Class and organised by the Yacht Club Sanremo,is back. The race’s protagonists will be the best crews in Europe.
The Carnival Race
Festival della Vela – 42nd West Liguria Winter Championship
The sailing event Festival della Vela is one of the most important events for sailing and racing enthusiasts in Liguria. The event, organised by the San Remo Yacht Club, is part of the 42nd West Liguria Winter Championship and will take place on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March 2026, thus concluding the winter sailing season in Liguria. You can register by 28 February.
Festival della Vela
