The Raul Gardini Trophy was born in 2022 in the waters of Marina di Ravenna, dedicated to young helmsmen sailing on Optimists. It was established by the Raul Gardini Foundation with the aim of creating a regatta featuring very young competitors. A similar choice was made at the founding of the Europa Yacht Club: the annual regatta (created to meet the club’s eligibility requirements to challenge the America’s Cup) was for the younger sailors on Optimists.

The Raul Gardini Trophy is organized by the Circolo Velico Ravennate and has the Team Race format: two teams of four helmsmen face off on a four-sided course. The overall team result is what matters. Tactics are similar to those of individual match racing, but the victory goes to the team, allowing them to showcase their determination.

The trophy, awarded at each edition in a “challenge” format, is a precious Murano glass piece that was presented to Raul Gardini by the city of Venice in recognition of his contributions to sailing.

3th Edition, 2024

The third edition will take place from October 25th to 27th, 2024, and it will mark a turning point for this event. The Circolo Velico Ravennate, in collaboration with the Optimist class in Italy, has decided to give new momentum to the event by making it international, allowing for a maximum of 16 teams, with 8 from Italy and 8 from abroad.

For more information about the upcoming edition, visit https://www.cvr.ra.it/regate/trofeo-raul-gardini-2/

2nd Edition, 2023

The 2023 edition was won by the Circolo Velico Ravennate, who finished ahead of the team from Mandello del Lario.

1st Edition, 2022

The winner of the first edition was the team from Fraglia Vela Riva del Garda, coached by Mauro Berteotti, which included helmsmen Lorenzo Ghirotti, Victoria Demurtas, Leonardo Grossi, Giovanni Bedoni, and Jesper Karlsen. In second place was Team 2 from the Circolo Velico Ravennate, whose helmsmen, coached by Giovanni Maioli, were Edoardo Masotti, Linda Raspadori, Alessandro Riccetti, Diego Brera, and Leo Ivaldi. The third place went to the Lega Navale Mandello, coached by Riky di Paco, with helmsmen Luca Bongiovanni, Imogene Masami Sicaro, Marco Rolle, and Anna Chiara Merlo.