October 9, 2025
2 minutes reading time
56 sailors from 17 countries converge for the 2.4mR Inclusive World Championship 2025
The 2.4mR Inclusive World Championship has officially begun in Malcesine, marking the start of the first-ever Inclusive Sailing World Championship. Until 12 October, Paralympic and able-bodied athletes will compete side by side on the waters of Lake Garda, with the event hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine, the organizing yacht club.
Official racing will start tomorrow, October 9, but the event already set sail yesterday with the Opening Press Conference, which kicked off a week dedicated to great sport, inclusion, and emotion. With its world-class sailing conditions, Lake Garda once again confirms its status as an international sailing hub and a symbol of sport as a vehicle for equal opportunity.
The championship gathers 56 sailors from 17 nations, divided into three categories — NOD, NOD-PARA, and OPEN— all competing together on the same racecourse, truly embodying the spirit of inclusivity.
Marco Carletto, President of Fraglia Vela Malcesine, commented: “Hosting this World Championship is a great source of pride, both on a sporting and social level. Bringing together Paralympic and non-Paralympic sailors celebrates different abilities as strengths. Our club has long promoted accessible sailing, encouraging participation and inclusion for all.”
Francesco Ettorre (Italian Sailing Federation): “This is a truly important moment for Parasailing. I’m sure this event will play a key role in advancing inclusive sailing worldwide.”
Heiko Kroeger (International 2.4mR Class President): “We are a unique class — we all sail together, no matter our differences. That’s the true spirit of sailing.”
The program features training sessions, briefings, the opening ceremony, and four days of regattas, with evening social events for sailors and guests. Today’s practice race enjoyed a steady Ora wind at 10–12 knots, offering perfect conditions to open the championship.
The day concluded with the official Opening Ceremony on the lakeside terrace of Fraglia Vela Malcesine, followed by a celebratory buffet to mark the start of this landmark event. The 2.4mR Inclusive World Championship 2025 enjoys broad media coverage thanks to World Sailing, the Italian Sailing Federation, the event’s media team, and numerous sailing outlets, also contributing to local tourism and economic development.
Local associations will have the unique opportunity to watch the races directly from the water aboard a historic sailing vessel, sharing the excitement of inclusive sport.
Text and images courtesy of Fraglia Vela Malcesine. Read the full story here.