2025 Fireball World Championships - Arco - Lago di Garda

22nd August to 30th August 2025 - Circolo Vela Arco

Dates 

While the final program is still being finalised, the event will take place from 22nd August to 30th August 2025

Note that this event will not have a formal preworlds, however a practice race is planned for the day before official racing commences.

Draft Program

The Club

The host club is Circolo Vela Arco, located in the northern part of Lake Garda.

Arco is a narrow town with only a few 100 metres on the lake, stretching back 4km into the mountains.

To the west of Arco is Riva del Garda and to the east is Torbole.

Information about the club can be found at - circolovelaarco.it

Circolo Vela Arco a.s.d.
Via Lungo Sarca, 20 – 38062 Arco,
North Lake Garda – TRENTINO
Telephone: +39 0464 505086
E-mail: info@circolovelaarco.com

Circolo Vela Arco Logistics

The Sailing Club is placed near the river Sarca.
It is a perfect spot for sailors and has been operating since 1983.
• Boat Park – 250 boats
• Car Park Free – 50 places
• 20 meters Launching ramp
• Trailer Park
• 3 Race Committee Vessel
• 10 owned rubber boats
• 6 WC, 10 showers and 3 changing rooms
• Main office
• Race Office
• Jury Office & Race committee rooms
• School with video screen
• Restaurant & Coffee corner
• Wi-Fi network
• REMOTE CONTROL ELECTRIC MOTORIZED BUOYS

Lake Garda Conditions 

Lake Garda is famous for its great sailing and wind sports conditions.

In the morning from 6 am the wind travels down the lake from North to South, ranging from 10 to 20 knots. The wind dies around 11am and then fills in again around 2pm in the afternoon from the South at 14 to 18 knots.

The water in summer is normally warm at around 23 degrees celsius but if a storm stirs the lake up it can get cold, so a range of sailing gear is recommended.

The air temperature ranges from a minimum of 18 degrees at night with daytime temperatures up to 30 degrees.

Getting There 

Arco is located approximately 1 hour's drive from Verona, 2.5 hours from Venice and 3 hours from Milan. The event organisers will be arranging some shuttle bus options from Verona. From Venice or Milan, a hire car is recommended.

Note that to hire a car you must have an International Drivers Licence if you are not from the European Union.

Parking 

Free parking around Riva del Garda, Arco and Torbole is very scarce, so it is recommended that you book accommodation with a parking spot if you plan to hire a car.

There is free parking at both Arco sailing club and Torbole sailing club.

Getting around 

The best option is to take a bike, scooter or skateboard in the container.

There are more than 20 bike rental shops spread between the three towns that hire bikes by the day and are happy to negotiate bulk hires or weekly hires. Some examples to see pricing are:

https://www.degasperirent.it/en/home/

https://www.happy-bike.it/en

https://velolake.com/bike-shuttle-lake-garda/

https://www.torbolebikeshop.com/

Personally, I am looking at putting cheap bikes in the container and then hiring an electric bike there on the day I want to ride up a mountain.

Most accommodation has storage areas for bikes as that is the key form of transportation.

Walking is also easy. Everything is close by. We walked everywhere on our visit there last September.

Accommodation

It is recommended that you stay in either Torbole or Riva del Garda. If looking at Arco accommodation ensure that it is close to the venue, not up in the mountains. Note that the location is surrounded by large mountains so a bad accommodation choice could result in very sore legs.

There are two great campgrounds right next to the sailing club which are a cheap option for anyone wanting to throw a tent in the container.

https://www.campingarcolido.it/ is the camp ground directly in front of the sailing club and will be the closest accommodation possible.

https://www.campingmaroadi.it/ is the next camp ground towards Riva and only 100 metres from the launch area.

Between the club and the main road there are several apartments.

There are limited restaurants and food options in the Arco Lake section.

Torbole is 8 - 10 minutes’ walk from the club and has several restaurants and bars plus apartment and hotel accommodation. It is a small quaint town and very picturesque.

Riva del Garda is the larger town and is 15 – 20 minutes’ walk from the club or an easy 8 – 10-minute bike ride. Riva has plenty of accommodation, including apartments and hotels. There is a good shopping centre and many bars and restaurants. The eastern side of Riva is closest to the club and is where I recommend staying. It gives easy access to all of Riva, Arco and Torbole. The western end of Garda is the old historical part of town and is filled with restaurants, bars and accommodation. If you don’t mind a longer walk / ride or have a car this area might suit you.

Accommodation Options

https://www.booking.com/ has a range of hotels and apartments

https://www.airbnb.com.au/ has lots of apartment options

https://www.gardatrentino.it/en/towns-villages/riva-del-garda/accommodations is a local web site which has accommodation options plus a whole lot more information about the area.

The sailing club also has a system to help with booking accommodation. https://www.circolovelaarco.it/prenota-hotel

Accommodation is filling up quickly so I suggest you get onto this quickly if you plan on going.

Things to do while not Sailing

• Wing Ding hire and lessons
• Windsurfing hire and lessons
• Kitesurfing in limited areas
• Kayaking and Supping
• Wake boarding
• Mountain biking
• Rock Climbing
• Hiking
• Canyoning
• Explore each of the three towns which are very different
• Dining in many cafés and restaurants
• Catch a ferry to any of the towns along the lake and explore
• Explore the Dolomites
• Sight seeing around the lake including forts, castles, mountains, churches
• Visit the local markets in each town: Arco on Saturday, Torbole on Sunday and Tuesday, Riva on Wednesday

Boat Parts 

Semi decent marine stores can be found in both Torbole and Riva del Garda.

They carry plenty of rope, elastic, some fittings and good sailing kit.

https://www.negrinautica.com/ in Torbole is the closest marine store to the sailing club.

https://www.bestwind.it/en/ is located in Riva Del Garda.