Malcesine on the Veneto shore of Lake Garda hosts the 13th edition of Foiling Week, bringing together more than 500 foilers, team members and stakeholders from around the world for a programme spanning world-class racing, technological innovation, public experiences and international dialogue.
Recognised as a World Sailing Special Event since 2021, the event draws a broad cross-section of the foiling world. Olympic athletes, America's Cup and SailGP competitors, designers, boat builders, manufacturers, national federations and class organisations all converge on what The Foiling Organization has formally designated the "Foiling Capital." Malcesine earns that title through its reliable thermal winds, distinctive microclimate and a deep-rooted sailing culture that sets it apart as a high-performance venue.
Fraglia Vela Malcesine, itself recognised as a Foiling Hub by The Foiling Organization, has been a core operational partner since Foiling Week launched in 2014, with its technical staff and volunteers central to the event's growth.
On the water, the programme features strong WASZP and Switch One Design fleets alongside the ETF26, BirdyFish, Nikki and a Wingfoil programme in the second half of the event.
The growing presence of Olympic class athletes at Foiling Week reflects how closely Olympic sailing and foiling have converged. That relationship is reinforced by a collaboration between organiser We Are Foiling and Sailing Grand Slam, the alliance of the world's leading Olympic sailing events, with SGS Director Ed Russo among the speakers at this year's Foiling Sport Congress.
Athlete development is led by former Olympic sailor Giulia Conti, now We Are Foiling's Head of Performance. Racing operations are directed by Tim Hancock as Head of Racing and Principal Race Officer, leading the international race management team throughout the event.
The public programme offers daily Tech Visits at Fraglia Vela Malcesine, first-hand foiling experience aboard the BirdyFish S through the Foiling Intro Experience, spectator boat access to the racing, and an E-JetCycle experience running from 1 to 4 July.
On 1 and 2 July, Fraglia Vela Malcesine hosts the second edition of the Foiling Sport Congress, organised by The Foiling Organization. Athletes, national federations, event organisers, companies and international stakeholders will discuss the themes shaping foiling's future, from sport development and safety through to technology, insurance and sustainability.
One session drawing particular interest is "The Peak of Italian Foiling," scheduled for Tuesday 1 July at 2:30 pm. The panel features Marco Ribigini from Ferrari Hypersail, Jana Germani of Red Bull Italy SailGP, Ambrogio Beccaria, the first Italian sailor to win the Vendée Arctique, and Francesca Clapcich, the Trieste-born skipper of the IMOCA 11th Hour Racing campaign, joining live from the United States.
