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18 June 2025

Mattia Cesana: from Laser to Switch

A new challenge between speed and passion

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There is a new class making waves - one that is revolutionising the international sailing scene. The class everyone is talking about: the Switch. Full carbon, peak-performance foil, designed to soar across the water with just a few knots of wind. Agile, technical, essential. A boat tailored for those who can’t go fast enough, but also want to feel the boat, read the wind, and tame the balance in every manoeuvre. In fewer words: pure, accessible and adrenalin-pumping foiling.

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Thrilling start for Switch 2025

The national circuit includes six exciting stages: following the Pre-Series in Sardinia, the season quickly kicked into gear in May with Grand Prix 01 held in Campione del Garda, continuing in Torbole during the first week of June. Lake Garda provided perfect foiling conditions: consistent temperatures, minimal waves, an ideal backdrop for some intense days of racing that immediately showcased the fleet's potential. Commanding the 2025 rankings is Mattia Cesana, a name already well-known for his success in the ILCA class. Mattia is already a standout figure in the new Italian foiling scene and is also a SLAM ambassador.

AN INTERVIEW WITH MATTIA CESANA

We met with him to understand what drives a champion to get back into the game, what it means to shift from an Olympic dinghy to a boat that takes flight. And above all: what it means for a young sailor, with his eyes fixed on the future, to live and breathe such high speeds.

Mattia, you are already an established champion in the ILCA class, but now we see you racing on the new foil Switch. What inspired you to try this new class?

It goes without saying that embarking on a new career in a Foil class is something quite special. It's great, in fact, because you take a step closer to a faster world, one that’s much faster. There is a lot of adrenaline involved and, of course, in sports you need adrenaline. That's one of the main reasons why I chose a class like this, but it’s more than just that: I wanted to get a bit closer to the world of foiling boats, to the bigger boats, like the America's Cup and SailGP boats.

Which Ilca youth titles have you won?

It all started in 2021, the year after Covid, and it happened almost by chance, during the ILCA 6 European Championship in Croatia. From there, I set out on a journey that has allowed me to grow, refine my skills and claim the important titles I’ve won up until switching to this new class.

These are my main results so far:

  • European ILCA 6 champion
  • Garda World Champion (Under 17 and Under 19)
  • World Champion in La Porte, Texas
  • Runner-up at the European Open World Championship in Andora, no age limit

- European ILCA 6 World Champion in Poland

- Winner of the World Youth Championship, one of the most prestigious titles in the youth track


I am thrilled and proud of these results, which come from all the hard work and passion I’ve given to this sport.

What are the main differences you’ve perceived so far compared to ILCA?

The speed is, of course, the biggest difference. One craft goes at 10 km/h while the other one reaches 10 km/h before even flying. That has to be the most important difference. And then of course come the manoeuvres which are much faster now, you need a lot more agility, a lot more actions.

How do tactics and strategy change when racing?

Racing in Switch is certainly much more speed based. As we have also seen in the America's Cup, racing is based more on speed now and there is less of a tactical aspect. In Ilca if one person makes several turns in a windward leg there is no problem because there’s very little to be lost, in fact you tend to gain metres by making turns. Whereas in the flying classes it is difficult to gain metres and there is a greater risk of making mistakes. That's why the technique is a little different now.

Has this transition given you a new drive?

The Switch has given me a whole host of new drives because I'm learning and been able to learn so many new things that the Ilca hadn't really been able to give me. In addition, the Switch class is bringing me closer to a lot of new people, so I'm improving not only from a technical point of view, but also from a cultural and human point of view. I'm getting to know new people, new points of view, friends who are giving me a hand in being able to develop what I already know, both in terms of mastering the Switch but also with regards to the Ilca. So this makes for a particularly important exchange of information. But what really matters is the friends I’m making on the way!

...The interview will continue in the next episode

The 2025 season of the Italian Switch Class includes six major competitive stages:

23–25 May: Grand Prix 01, Campione (Lake Garda) 

6–8 June: Grand Prix 02, Torbole (Lake Garda)

18–20 July: Grand Prix 03, Marvelia (Lake Como)

12–14 September: International Event, Malcesine (Lake Garda)

10–12 October: National Championships, Tuscany

28–30 November: Grand Prix 04, Cagliari (Sardinia)

Author: ELENA GIOLAI/SLAM

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