Some of the world’s top Olympic class sailors have arrived at Torbole on Lake Garda, Italy to take part in the second leg of the European Eurolymp circuit.

The opening ceremony will be held this evening on the Terrazza San Pellegrino della Fraglia della Vela Sailing Club, Riva del Garda and racing will start at 1200 tomorrow (5 March). The regatta will continue throughout the week with two races per day for the Star, Yngling, Tornado, Europe, Laser, Finn, 470 (men and women) and Mistral classes while the 49ers will sail a total of 15 races.

Local sailor, Sydney Olympic silver medallist in the Finn class, Luca Devoti declared: “I want to carry on competing in this class at least as far as the gold in Athens,” but here on Lake Garda it’s going to be hard fought against the reigning European champion, the Greek Emilios Papathanasiou, the tough Czech, Michael Mair, and the other outsider, the German Michael Fellmann.

Meanwhile, at the Circolo Surf Club Torbole the entire Italian windsurf team has arrived led by the Sydney Olympic gold medallist Alessandra Sensini. The other members of the team include Flavia Tartaglini, Daniel Di Rienzo, Marta Cammarano and Andrea Beverino.