Switch Globals attract Foiling Elite to Lake Garda
by Mark Jardine 4 Oct 19:36 BST
8-11 October 2026
Switch Global Championship 2025 © CodeZeroDigital
The countdown is on to the Switch foiling dinghy flagship event of the season - the Global Championship. Racing will be held at the northern end of Lake Garda, based at Torbole, arguably the best foiling venue in the world with its sheer cliff faces and reliable Ora breeze.
Fifty-seven sailors have entered so far, with at least another ten teams expected, and the names on the list include an extraordinary number of champions from a range of fleets, all keen to test themselves against the best on the ultra-fast one design foiling platform.
Here's a run-down of just a few of the big names taking part:
Jordi Xammar (ESP) won the 470 World Championship in 2024, and won bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the class. He also helmed the Spanish SailGP team F50 until he stepped down in February 2023 to concentrate on his Olympic class sailing.
Micky Beckett (GBR) is a multi-time podium finisher in the ILCA 7 World Championship, as well competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics. He and many of the British ILCA squad enjoy Switch sailing amongst their ILCA training and events.
Annalise Murphy (IRL) won silver at the Rio 2026 Olympics in the ILCA 6 class and also competed in The Ocean Race 2017-18. She has recently made a return to the ILCA 6 class and has previously campaigned in the Moth class.
Erika Reineke (USA) competed in the ILCA 6 class at the Paris 2024 Olympics and also was awarded US Sailing's 2017 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year after winning the gold medal in the Laser Radial class at Enoshima Olympic Week.
Benjamin Bildstein (AUT) has finished in the top ten of the 49er Worlds six times, including a bronze medal in 2017, as well as competing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the class.
Paul Hameeteman (NED) is an under 21 ILCA World Champion and is currently campaigning a 49er for the LA2028 Olympics.
Simon Hiscocks (GBR) is a two-time Olympic medallist, winning silver alongside Ian Barker at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and bronze crewing for Chris Draper at the Athens 2004 Games. He has a huge amount of experience in the Moth class which he is now bringing to the one-design Switch class.
Mattia Cesana (ITA) is a three-time ILCA Youth World Champion and is a rising star in the Switch class. He is also a member of the Italian SailGP team. Having grown up on and around Lake Garda, he will bring a wealth of local knowledge to the event.
Magnus Overbeck (DEN) has graduated from the WASZP class where he finished as a medallist in the WASZP Games and won the European Championship, now bringing his foiling knowledge to the faster Switch class.
Gavin Ball (USA) also sailed in the WASZP class, winning the Americas Championship alongside success in the 29er class.
Caspar Lenz Anderson (CAN) won the Canadian Youth Championships and competes in the ILCA 7 and 29er classes.
Registration is on Wednesday 7th October, followed by the event opening and aperitivo at the Circolo Vela Torbole, followed by four days of racing from Thursday, with breathtaking Finals racing being held on the Sunday ahead of the closing prize-giving.
We will be bringing you daily reports, photos and videos on Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com throughout, including interviews with the sailors, sharing their thoughts and understanding more about the appeal of this fast-growing foiling class.
The racing will be fast and spectacular, and the shoreside atmosphere will be buoyant. If you're in the area then pop by to watch - otherwise we've got all the action covered!