470

470 Masters Cup: Italian Duo Takes Early Lead in Portorož

By Sailing Times Newsroom·15 September 2026·3 min read

Giacomo Maranzana and Giorgio Leone open the regatta with a 2-1-2 scoreline as racing begins off Piran.

The 470 Masters Cup got underway in Portorož on Tuesday, with Italy’s Giacomo Maranzana and Giorgio Leoneimmediately establishing themselves at the top of the Grand Grand Masters standings.

The Italian pair produced a consistent 2-1-2 scoreline across the three races sailed on the opening day.

Racing took place off Piran in a steady 6–9 knot breeze, with the windward mark positioned in front of the historic Slovenian coastal town. The conditions provided a challenging but enjoyable start to the championship.

“We made a 2-1-2, and I hope we are first after today. The conditions were fantastic, the racing was good, everything was okay,” Maranzana said after racing.

The Italians showed little sign of needing time to settle into the regatta.

“The fleet is competitive, but today everything went perfectly. Nothing went wrong. It was a fantastic day,” Maranzana added.

For Leone, the return to the 470 carries a strong personal connection. He first sailed the class as a young sailor and still considers it his first love in sailing.

“I raced in the 470 class when I was a child, and it’s my first love in sailing,” Leone said. He recalled competing at the 470 Junior Championship against sailors who would later go on to the highest levels of the sport, including a competitor now sailing with Luna Rossa.

Swiss and German crews level in Apprentice Masters

The Apprentice Masters fleet is already tightly contested, with Switzerland’s Julian Flessati and Stephan Ammannlevel on points with Germany’s Rosa Hanig and Stefan Oetken.

The German team brings an added family dimension to the championship, with Rosa and Stefan competing as daughter and father.

“It’s nice to learn a lot from him, and it’s nice to spend some time with him,” Rosa said.

Her father Stefan has equally enjoyed sharing the 470 with his daughter.

“It’s perfect that she has a lot of fun sailing with me. It’s great,” he said.

The 470 has been part of Stefan’s sailing life for decades, and he now sees the class as a family tradition.

“I have a lot of nice memories from the 470 Class. I sailed in great conditions when I was younger, and I also sailed with my brother years ago at the Masters Cup. For the last four years, I’ve been sailing with my daughter, and that’s really nice. Sailing is definitely something that is very much part of our family,” he said.

Italy and Slovenia lead the Masters and Grand Masters

Italy is also leading the Masters category, where Leonardo Passinetti and Stefano Barbarini sit at the top of the standings after the opening three races.

In the Grand Masters, Slovenia’s Dušan Puh and Matjaž Puh lead the fleet.

Dušan Puh is also the oldest sailor competing at this year’s regatta, adding another notable story to an opening day already marked by competitive racing and strong personal connections to the 470 class.

With three races completed, the championship is already taking shape in Portorož. The combination of close standings, experienced crews and the iconic waters off Piran sets the stage for another competitive day on the Adriatic.

Sailing Times