Entries open for 2025 ORC Sportboat European Championship

The 2025 ORC Sportboat European Championship will be held over 11-17 May 2025 in one of the world's most iconic small-boat sailing venues: Lago di Garda, Italy. The Circolo Vela Torbole (CVT), in cooperation with ORC, has just issued their Notice of Race and invitation to enter at CVT event page.

The event venue in Torbole is a picturesque historic village nestled like an amphitheatre on the shores of Lake Garda.

The Ora, a famous wind blowing from the south, defines the sailing and surfing scene in Upper Garda. Starting around noon and continuing until sunset, this wind alternates with the morning Pelèr (a northern wind). Thanks to the area's unique orographic features, the Venturi effect amplifies the Ora’s strength, often reaching speeds over 20 knots, making it a favorite for sailors worldwide.

Circolo Vela Torbole offers an ideal balance of world-class facilities and superb racing conditions. The venue boasts two distinct racing areas, providing an "open" championship course that avoids one-sided tactics. With wind speeds often reaching their peak, particularly with the Ora, competitors are in for exhilarating racing.

The ORC Sportboat rule is intended to use the power of the ORC's VPP to create fair handicap racing among fast lightweight monohulls, and as such, attracts competition among popular designs such as Melges 24's, J-70's, Vipers, Esse 850's, SB20's, Este 24's, Cape 31’s, UFO's, Farr 25's, Platu 25's etc. More on ORC Sportboat Class rules, policies and events can be found on the ORC Sportboats page.

Race management will be in the capable hands of ORC Sportboat Manager and IRO David Bartol (SLO) - he's recently been appointed as the ORC Sportboat Class manager to support the global growth of this class - read more.

This is the sixth year of ORC Sportboats being organized into European Championships, with past events held in Portoroz (SLO), Istanbul (TUR), Sistiana/Trieste (ITA), Kalamaki/Athens (GRE), and Valencia (ESP). Event info and results for these events can be found on the Hall of Fame of the ORC Sportboat Champions.

Entries for the 2025 ORC Sportboat European Championship are expected to be from teams hailing from throughout the Alpine lakes regions of GER, AUT, SUI, SLO and ITA, as well as beyond for anyone interested in racing in this classic venue for international sailing.