New pre-registrations for the race organized by the Circolo Vela Gargnano on September 5 and 6. From Lake Maggiore comes the Ultimate 30 designed by Bruce Farr. Also on the start line will be the Este 35 from the Doppiavela Solidale project. Aboard Prinz Luitpold von Bayern’s König Ludwig will be Olympic silver medalist Evert Bastet and former German downhill skier Max Rauffer, a World Cup winner on the Saslong course in Val Gardena.
Gargnano, August 2026 – The fleet of the 76th International CentoMiglia del Garda continues to grow, and the new pre-registrations are adding distinctive boats, big names in sport, and a story in which sailing also takes on important social value to the September 5-6 race.
Among the most anticipated boats is Banda Larga, an Ultimate 30 coming from Lake Maggiore, a Bruce Farr design built by the Dal Ferro yard in 1992. Originally launched under the name Longobarda and later brought back to racing after a major refit overseen by Claudio Maletto, it is one of those boats that is hard to miss. Just 9.14 meters long, light and carrying a lot of sail area, in its best-known configuration she races with a crew of eight, six of whom on trapeze. A boat already familiar with Lake Garda and the CentoMiglia, having been a protagonist there back in 2017 as well. Among the names listed in the 2026 crew is also Stefano Beltrando, from Piedmont, a composite materials specialist and currently Quality Control Manager for Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, with extensive experience gained across several America’s Cup campaigns.
Of a completely different nature, but no less significant, is the pre-registration of Sub Vento Libertas, an Este 35 belonging to the Doppiavela Solidale project. The initiative, born from the commitment of a group of sailing enthusiasts within the Polizia di Stato (Italian State Police), brings together police officer skippers and young people coming from difficult personal situations. Communities, rehabilitation programs and, in some cases, experiences linked to the justice system all find in crew life an opportunity to learn responsibility, teamwork and mutual trust. The Este 35 joined the project in 2016 thanks to the ASD Polizia di Stato di Peschiera del Garda and the support of the Fondazione Cariverona. Even its name reflects this mission: Sub Vento Libertas — “under the wind, freedom.”
After the return of British Olympic bronze medalist Jo Richards was announced in recent days, the 76th CentoMiglia adds another Olympic medal to its fleet. Aboard König Ludwig, Asso 99 of Prinz Luitpold von Bayern, is expected Canadian Evert Bastet, Olympic silver medalist in the Flying Dutchman at Los Angeles 1984 together with Terry McLaughlin and world champion in the same class in 1980.
Between Bastet and Prinz Luitpold there is also a sailing story that goes back precisely to the 1980s. The prince contributed to the campaign of the Flying Dutchman used by the Canadian crew toward Los Angeles 1984 and, after the Games, sailed with Bastet on Lake Garda. As Luitpold himself recalls, the two also shared the Asso 99 at the 39th CentoMiglia. After many years, they will therefore return together in the same race.
But on the German Asso 99 there will not only be sailing protagonists. Also announced in the crew is Max Rauffer, former downhill skier of the German national alpine ski team. In 2004 Rauffer achieved on the Saslong in Val Gardena his only World Cup victory, winning the downhill race.
Olympic sailing, America’s Cup, World Cup skiing, social projects and boats born to race fast on lakes. The new pre-registrations thus confirm one of the characteristics that has always accompanied the CentoMiglia del Garda: bringing together on the same start line experiences, generations and very different ways of living sailing.
Organized by the Circolo Vela Gargnano, on behalf of the Italian Sailing Federation, the 76th International CentoMiglia del Garda is made possible thanks to the contribution of the Municipality of Gargnano, Department for Commerce, Sport and Tourism and Department for Culture, of Pro Loco Gargnano and This is Gargnano. Main sponsor of the event is Fineco, one of the leading fintech banks in Europe. Alongside the event is also Cantieri del Pardo, a leading name in Italian boatbuilding, and Lago di Garda Lombardia, a partner in promoting the local area and its sporting and tourist vocation. Rounding out the group of partners are Acqua Tavina, Consorzio Valtènesi, Heineken and Wyler Vetta, accompanying the event through its various sporting and social moments ashore.
2026 Schedule: https://centomiglia.it/
