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Optimist sailors from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Switzerland, Sweden, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and United States will be taking to the waters of Lake Garda for the annual Easter regatta which will take place from 24-27 March.

The Parade (tomorrow at 17:00) will see all competitors, with trainers and parents, walk down the town centre of Riva del Garda, up to Palazzo Pretorio (the Town Hall) where Mayor Paolo MATTEOTTI will recieve them all with a welcome speech.

The starting signal of the first race is planned on Thursday 24 March at 13:00, with the youngest skippers of 'A Division' (born in 1995/1996) sailing through seven races, while the other competitors of the 'B Division', born in 1991/1994, will compete in a fleet race, in groups (3 fleets, 2 groups each), for a series of ten races. In 2004, Ottavia Maria RAGGIO of the Circolo Velico La Spezia won in 'A Division', and the Polish sailor Kacper ZIEMINSKI won in 'B Division' and both these sailors will be back for more this year.

On Sunday, at the Palameeting, right next to the Fraglia and to the Conference Palace of Riva del Garda, the young athletes will be entertained by the show 'Pinocchio on the road' staged by the Compagnia dei Folli. On the background of an enormous book, the adventures of a Pinocchio will be re-enacted with a modern theme - a show of pure imagination with actors on stilts, fireworks and dance-theatre.