A groundbreaking fleet of 16 teams kicked off yesterday, August 21st, for Act 4 of the 69F Youth Foiling Gold Cup on Italy's Lake Garda in Torbole. What was planned as a warm-up day transformed into a spectacular race day with a remarkable eight races completed. The entire first flight successfully sailed amidst the classical thermal wind from the South known as the Ora, maintaining speeds of 12 to 14 knots.

The YFGC operates with teams sharing the 69F Europe six-boat fleet. Over a span of four days, teams compete, and the top six advance to the Gold Fleet for the final two days, while the rest continue to compete in the Silver Fleet. This time, due to the extensive number of participants, Race Director Dede De Luca opted for five days of qualifiers, offering ample racing opportunities for all before the finals.

Hailing from ten different nations, the teams, consisting of crew members under 25 years old, present a diverse lineup. Some represent America's Cup syndicates that have chosen the 69F as a training platform for their junior teams, set to participate in the Youth America’s Cup in Barcelona next September.

The enthusiasm of all 16 teams was palpable after the inaugural day of racing on Lake Garda, an iconic venue that lived up to its reputation.

The racing continues today in Torbole, aiming to transition to the Gold Fleet on Saturday, with the ultimate goal of securing a spot at the Grand Finals in Barcelona from November 2nd to the 5th. Teams such as the Antigua Rum Runners and Dutchsail Jajo have already qualified, and the chance for others will arise in the upcoming 69F YFGC ACT 3 in Barcelona from October 23rd to the 29th.
Credits: Martina Orsini/ We Are Foiling Media