Torbole, June 28, 2026 – A thrilling duel between Paint It Black and gSpot went right down to the wire, with Michael Grau’s team prevailing by just one point at the conclusion of the eighth and final race of the third event of the 2026 J/70 Cup, organised by Circolo Vela Torbole in cooperation with the J/70 Italian Class.
The comfortable advantage built by Matteo Marenghi Vaselli’s crew at the end of the second day—an effort that had also secured the Garmin Cup—ultimately proved insufficient. Caught in heavy traffic near the Race Committee Boat at the start of Race 7, which they finished in twenty-fourth place, gSpot could recover only to eleventh in the final race, allowing the German team to complete its comeback.
Meanwhile, Michael Grau, expertly supported by Gonzalo Ribeiro, Willem van Waay and Florian Thoelen, posted an eighth and a third-place finish to close the series on 32 points, one fewer than gSpot.
During the prize-giving ceremony, Willem van Waay, one of the best-known sailors in the J/70 class and trimmer aboard Paint It Black, spoke on behalf of Michael Grau’s team to publicly thank the organisers and greet the fleet: “I race all over the world and there is no place on the planet like Lake Garda- The breathtaking beauty and incredible sailing/foiling/windsurfing energy that pumps through this lake is completely addictive. It makes me want to drop everything and move here. Beautifully run regatta- 8 fabulous races- with such great competition it’s never over till it’s over. I can’t wait to come back.”
Completing the podium was an impressive White Hawk. Gianfranco Noè’s team, strengthened by the presence of Branko Brcin, sailed a remarkably consistent series, finishing outside the top ten only twice. A second and a sixth place on the final day allowed the team to climb from fifth to third overall, while also securing victory in the OnePro category.
Just as in Lerici, Euro-Voiles, owned by Denis Infante and helmed by Louis Barbet, claimed Corinthian honours in Torbole. The French team finished seventh overall, behind the Americans aboard Callisto, who placed fourth, the Australians of Vamos, fifth overall and winners of the final race, and Sweden’s Lexie, victorious in the opening race of the day, but ahead of the overall J/70 Cup leader, J-Curve of Mauro Roversi.
Second and third among the Corinthian entries were Ireland’s Wildcard, helmed by Harry Twomey, and Caim of Massimo Rama. In the Mixed Plus division, victory went to Switzerland’s Jerry, once again skippered by Thomas Studer.
With the third event of the 2026 J/70 Cup now complete, the J/70 Italian Class turns its attention to Porto Cervo and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, which will host the season finale from October 2–4. The event will also serve as the 2026 Italian J/70 National Championship.
The J/70 Italian Class, which uses the Vakaros RaceSense system to manage race starts, is supported by Lincoln International, Garmin, VelaMania, North Sails Collection, UtilGraph, Gottifredi Maffioli and Gin Vento.
