The Rizzotti Trophy in Cavallino-Treporti: the international Optimist regatta at Marina di Venezia

Every spring, Marina di Venezia Camping Village hosts one of the most important international youth sailing events: the Marco Rizzotti Trophy. 

This historic Optimist team regatta, organised by the Compagnia della Vela and the Diporto Velico Veneziano, is dedicated to young sailors aged 10 to 15 and welcomes national teams and clubs from all over the world every year. The stretch of sea between Punta Sabbioni and the Lido di Venezia becomes a prestigious competition venue, while Marina di Venezia turns into a true hospitality hub for the athletes. 

One of the most prestigious international regattas 

Established in 1986 in memory of Marco Rizzotti, a great promoter of youth sailing, the Trophy has grown over time to become one of the world’s most important Optimist class competitions. 

Since 1996, the event has been held as a team race, a decision that marked a significant step forward in quality, making it even more dynamic and technical. 

Unlike traditional regattas, here it is not the individual sailor who wins, but the team as a whole: strategy, teamwork and tactical vision become essential elements, making every race intense and engaging even for those watching from the shore.

Young talent and great challenges at sea 

During the Rizzotti Trophy, the waters off Marina di Venezia fill with colourful sails: the Optimists, small boats that symbolise youth sailing. 

The races consist of short, closely contested heats, often decided in just a few minutes, in a continuous challenge between teams. This format allows all participants to play an active role right to the end and encourages significant technical development, thanks to the fast pace and international level of the competition. 

It is no coincidence that the Rizzotti Trophy is considered a key event in the sailing calendar, also because of its proximity to the Optimist class European and World Championships. 

An “Olympic village” at Marina di Venezia 

One of the aspects that makes the Rizzotti Trophy unique is the atmosphere created on shore. 

Marina di Venezia welcomes internationally renowned athletes and coaches, transforming itself, for a few days, into a small international sailing village. 

Here, friendships are formed, experiences are shared and sport is lived in an authentic way, overcoming linguistic and cultural barriers. It is an atmosphere of collaboration and respect that perfectly embodies the values of youth sailing.

What to see: the regatta live 

A natural spectacle that is always different, enriching your holiday with an international sporting event experienced up close. 

Spring at Marina di Venezia: events and nature 

The Rizzotti Trophy is one of our spring events, an ideal time to experience the area between the sea, nature and outdoor activities. 

Staying at Marina di Venezia during this event means combining relaxation with discovery, becoming part of an event that represents the future of sailing and, at the same time, a well-established tradition on the international sporting scene. 

The teams competing in the 2026 edition 

The 2026 Rizzotti Trophy brings together teams from all over the world in Cavallino-Treporti, including national teams and clubs. 

From the United States with St. Petersburg Y.C. Thunder, Team Happy and Coral Reef, to Asia with Singapore 1 and Singapore 2, and on to Europe with Great Britain, France, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia and Turkey. 

Italian teams such as Mandello del Lario, XII Zona Veneto and Fraglia Vela will also take part, alongside international teams such as Team Happy International, RCN Palma Mallorca and the Puerto Rico national team. 

This diverse mix of teams turns every race into a meeting of different experiences and styles, making the Rizzotti Trophy a consistently exciting sporting spectacle.