A wonderful day on Lake Garda welcomed the first extra race stage of the EOC Tour, the calendar of itinerant and promotional races that will accompany the 2023 edition of the European Championships. In the Municipality of Malcesine, some 250 orienteers from 12 nations explored the picturesque historic center in search, with map and compass, of the best route by which to reach the flags.

The beautiful tracks, created by Francesco Buselli, were particularly challenging as they were developed in a village without a regular layout: international competition maps with multi-level zones, characterized by continuous junctions, turns, arcades, underpasses and steps. The view of the lakefront, dominated by the lovely Scaliger Castle, gave an added touch of magic to the trial, organized with the collaboration of ASD Orient Express Verona and Vicenza Orienteering Team.

Presenting the awards of Rosso Gargano to the orienteers on the podium was Sara Pallua, Tourism Councillor for the Municipality of Malcesine: “We are happy to host fans of this sporting discipline, which, although little known in Italy, allows people to get to know the historic centers in a different way and blends perfectly with our territory”. The medieval village of Malcesine, suspended between Lake Garda and Monte Baldo, has a strong tourist-sports vocation. A unique location, where it is possible to practice many outdoor sports between water and land, from trail running to kite-surfing.

“We could not have chosen a better location – says Gabriele Viale, General Manager 2023 EOC – to kick off the challenges of this intense week. The passage of the orienteers at the Scaliger Castle, on the lakefront and in the alleys of the historic center allowed us to create unique and exciting routes”.

All results of the day can be found here. WATCH THE OFFICIAL VIDEO!

Next appointment tomorrow at 4 p.m. in Torri del Benaco for the second stage of the EOC Tour, followed by the opening ceremony of the European Championships, valid as World Cup finals, from 6 p.m.

You are all invited to participate!