It could hardly have been closer. After eight races at the Melges Reunion, Michele Paoletti’s Strambapapà and Croatia’s Razjaren, helmed by Karlo Kuret, finished the regatta tied on 21 points. Only the tie-break rule separated the two crews, crowning Strambapapà the winner of the 2026 Italian Melges 24 National Championship, the second event of the Trofeo Gaudì, and the seventh event of the 2026 Melges 24 European Sailing Series.

Hosted by Fraglia Vela Riva in cooperation with the Italian Melges 24 Class and the International Melges 24 Class Association, the Melges Reunion once again delivered everything sailors have come to expect from Lake Garda: sunshine, spectacular Ora breeze, close one-design racing and a championship that remained undecided until the very last finish.

A Championship Decided on the Final Leg

Sunday’s finale brought another classic Garda afternoon. The famous Ora breeze filled in from the south at 8–12 knots, shifting the racecourse towards the eastern shore of the lake and providing ideal tactical conditions for the final two races.

With only two races remaining, several teams still had realistic podium ambitions, but all eyes were focused on the duel between overnight leader Strambapapà and Razjaren. Paoletti’s Italian crew strengthened its position by finishing second in the penultimate race, while Razjaren crossed fourth. Everything, therefore, came down to the final race.

Overall Top 10

1. STRAMBAPAPÀ (ITA 689) – Michele Paoletti – 21 pts
2. RAZJAREN (CRO 867) – Karlo Kuret – 21 pts
3. ALTEA (ITA 722) – Andrea Racchelli – 35 pts
4. FREMITO D’ARIA (ITA 673) – Dario Levi – 41 pts
5. WAR CANOE (USA 841) – Michael Goldfarb – 43 pts
6. PANJIĆ (CRO 803) – Luka Sangulin – 46 pts
7. MELGINA (ITA 854, Corinthian) – Paolo Brescia – 46 pts
8. CHINOOK (HUN 850, Corinthian) – Ákos Csoltó – 47 pts
9. WHITE ROOM (GER 677, Corinthian) – Michael Tarabochia – 51 pts
10. WHATEVER (ITA 731, Corinthian) – Michele Ferrari – 59 pts

Corinthian Top 3

1. MELGINA (ITA 854) – Paolo Brescia – 46 pts
2. CHINOOK (HUN 850) – Ákos Csoltó – 47 pts
3. WHITE ROOM (GER 677) – Michael Tarabochia – 51 pts

Italian Championship Podiums

Although the Melges Reunion welcomed an international fleet of 30 boats from across Europe and North America, the 2026 Italian Melges 24 National Championship titles were awarded exclusively to crews meeting the Italian nationality requirements. For the second time, Strambapapà claimed the Italian National Championship title, repeating its 2023 success. Remarkably, the very same crew also captured the Melges 24 European Championship title in Genoa in 2022.

2026 Italian Melges 24 National Championship

1. STRAMBAPAPÀ – Michele Paoletti
2. FREMITO D’ARIA – Dario Levi
3. MELGINA – Paolo Brescia

2026 Italian Melges 24 Corinthian Championship

1. MELGINA – Paolo Brescia
2. WHATEVER – Michele Ferrari
3. AKUA – Sergio Caramel