From June 27th to July 5th, Malcesine transforms into the global hub of foiling, welcoming over 500 athletes, teams, and stakeholders from around the world. This year’s Foiling Week includes a diverse programme featuring world-class racing, technological advancements, and public engagement.
Recognised as a World Sailing Special Event since 2021, Foiling Week brings together Olympic athletes, America’s Cup and SailGP competitors, international classes, designers, builders, manufacturers, event organisers, national federations, and enthusiasts, establishing it as the premier annual gathering of the global foiling community.
The Foiling Organization has designated Malcesine as the “Foiling Capital” due to its reliable thermal winds, unique microclimate, and rich sailing tradition, making it a top venue for high-performance sailing across all foiling disciplines.
Foiling Week has been instrumental in promoting the region internationally since its inception in 2014, with Fraglia Vela Malcesine playing a critical role in the event’s development. The Club’s experienced technical staff and dedicated volunteers have been pivotal in the event’s success.
This year’s on-water programme showcases leading foiling classes, including strong fleets of WASZP and Switch One Design, alongside ETF26, BirdyFish, Nikki, and a Wingfoil programme scheduled for the latter half of the event.
In recent years, Foiling Week has seen an increase in Olympic class athletes, reflecting the growing intersection between Olympic sailing and foiling. This trend is reinforced by a new collaboration between We Are Foiling, the organiser of Foiling Week, and the Sailing Grand Slam (SGS), which unites the world’s foremost Olympic sailing events. Ed Russo, the SGS Director, is among the featured speakers at this year’s Foiling Sport Congress.
The athlete development programme is led by former Olympic sailor and We Are Foiling Head of Performance Giulia Conti, while racing operations will be managed by Tim Hancock, Head of Racing and Principal Race Officer of We Are Foiling, who will oversee the international race management team.
The public programme includes daily Tech Visits at Fraglia Vela Malcesine, opportunities to experience foiling firsthand aboard the BirdyFish S during the Foiling Intro Experience, spectator boat racing viewings, and the innovative E-JetCycle experience from July 1-4, all bookable online at https://foilingweek.com/product-category/fw26-experiences/.
Additionally, the second edition of the Foiling Sport Congress will take place at Fraglia Vela Malcesine on July 1st and 2nd, where athletes, national federations, organisers, companies, and stakeholders will discuss key themes influencing the future of foiling, such as sport development, safety, coaching, innovation, sustainability, and growth opportunities.
A highly anticipated session, “The Peak of Italian Foiling,” is scheduled for Tuesday, July 1st, at 2:30 pm. This panel will examine the factors propelling Italy to the forefront of the global foiling scene and what it takes to maintain long-term leadership. Notable speakers include Marco Ribigini (Ferrari Hypersail), Jana Germani (Red Bull Italy SailGP), Ambrogio Beccaria, and Francesca Clapcich, the skipper of the IMOCA 11th Hour Racing campaign, who will join via live feed from the United States.
Further details and the complete Foiling Sport Congress programme can be found at https://foiling.org/.
Notably, the 2026 edition features Alfa Romeo as the Official Automotive Partner, showcasing their new Giulia QV and providing a fleet of vehicles for the event’s logistics and hospitality.
Key moments from the week will be shared globally through Icarus Sports, broadcasting footage of Foiling Week and the stunning Veneto region to international sports networks.
Foiling Week is made possible by the support of various partners, including REGIONE DEL VENETO, COMUNE DI MALCESINE, DESTINATION VERONA & GARDAS FOUNDATION, WORLD SAILING, FRAGLIA VELA MALCESINE, among others.
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