Leggiuno – Italian Open Water Tour 2026

In the 14th century, the monastery of Santa Caterina was established by a local merchant who, after surviving a shipwreck, sought refuge on these very cliffs. Today, the 16-meter-high rocky ridge that cradled his hermitage serves as the silent observer for every swimmer entering the water at Leggiuno. As you push off from the shore, the three chapels of the complex dominate your line of sight, offering a vertical perspective of the Verbano that few others on land ever experience. This historical anchor defines the event, grounding the physical effort of the 926m, 2500m, and 7000m distances in a landscape that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.

Navigating the Verbano

While the hermitage provides a spiritual waypoint, the lake itself demands a different kind of focus. The waters off the Reno beach are particularly susceptible to the Mergozzo wind, a thermal current that periodically reshapes the surface of the gulf. This is not a static pool; swimmers must adapt to the shifting water movement as it interacts with the local geography. As you work your stroke, the skyline is defined by the Sasso del Ferro mountain, a 1,062-meter peak that serves as a launch point for hang gliders descending toward the water. If you look toward the horizon, the Borromean Gulf opens up, framing the distant, jagged peaks of the Monte Rosa massif, while the ruins of a Lombard watchtower remain visible on the nearby Monte di Ballarate, marking the ancient defensive lines of the region.

Race Day and Logistics

The Leggiuno stage is a cornerstone of the Italian Open Water Tour, scheduled for July 4, 2026. The logistics of this event are designed to handle the complexities of the lake environment, with support crews and safety personnel positioned to monitor the specific wind patterns of the Reno inlet. Whether you are tackling the 'Smile Swim' or the 'Hard Swim,' the course is marked to ensure that every participant maintains their orientation beneath the towering monastery walls. For those looking to calibrate their season, this stage follows the pioneering routes at Monate and precedes the rigorous 25th anniversary of the Mergozzo crossing held later in July. Participants will find that the technical requirements—ranging from buoy navigation to pacing against the lake's thermal movements—transform a standard open water race into a tactical engagement with the Verbano's unique natural history.