Italian
VENICE — A true ovation welcomed the champions of Venetian rowing at Ca’ Farsetti. After the extraordinary achievement on June 2nd in the waters of Pisa, the municipal administration wanted to pay the right tribute to the athletes who proudly defended the colors of the Serenissima in the 2024 edition of the Palio delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare.
A return to success that smells of history: the men’s crew has achieved a memorable first place, bringing back to the lagoon a trophy that had been missing since 2019 and breaking the dominance of the galleon from Genoa (which came in second). With this victory, Venice secures its lead in the historical medal table of the competition, reaching a total of 35 successes. Thunderous applause also for the women’s crew, which managed to secure a valuable second place on the Arno behind the home team from Pisa, clearly distancing the rivals from Genoa and Amalfi.
The praise of the institutions: “A victory for the whole city”
To host the celebrations was Simone Venturini representing the municipal administration, who expressed deep gratitude to the entire delegation:
“Congratulations go to our lionesses and lions. Today Venice embraces two crews that have honored the history, identity, and traditions of the city with an extraordinary determination and sense of belonging. This achievement belongs to the entire community.”
During his speech, Venturini emphasized how this triumph is the result of a long-term planning effort: “It is the success of a solid group, an expression of that silent strength that transforms into Venetian pride in crucial moments. A journey built over the years, for which we must thank former board member Giovanni Giusto. His commitment to the younger generation has brought children back to the center of the regattas up to the Historical one, nurturing the champions of the future. Giusto was also the first to fight for equal prizes between men and women, a battle that we now take for granted but which was not at all obvious back then.”
A special commendation was reserved for a strategic choice that proved to be winning: the assignment of the helm of the men’s galleon to Angela De Lucchi. A bold decision, a calculated risk that paid the highest dividends and demonstrates how Venice knows how to look to the future without ever forgetting its roots.
Pioneers of rowing: the growth of the women’s movement
The second place of the girls confirms the validity of the project launched during the experimental phase of 2022 (in the 66th edition) and definitively consolidated in 2023. Since its debut in Amalfi, Venice has drawn a clear and courageous line, deciding – unlike the other Republics that opted for mixed crews – to field a boat entirely composed of female athletes. An identity choice that continues to bear fruit today.
The focus is already shifting to the future: the municipal organizational machine is already in motion to plan next year’s edition, which will be hosted right under the shadow of San Marco.
The protagonists of the lagoon expedition
Here are the names of the athletes and the technical staff who accomplished the feat in Pisa:
The male crew (Green Galleon)
Helmsman: Angela De Lucchi
Athletes: Gabriele Bastasi, Pietro Cangialosi, Luca Chiumento, Jacopo Colombi, Mattia Colombi, Gustavo Ferrio, Michele Ghezzo, Davide Stefanile.
Reserves: Lorenzo Baldo, Elio Colombrino, Giacomo De Lucchi, Stefano Morosinato.
Technical Staff: Spartaco Barbo (director), Massimo Martini and Stefano Zabotto (coaches).
The female crew (Red Galleon)
Helmsman: Francesca Brotto
Athletes: Stefania Gobbi, Arianna Gomiero, Matilde Lorenzini, Agnese Pighin, Vittoria Savorelli, Matilde Stangherlin, Giulia Tagliapietra, Cecilia Bellati.
Completing the roster: Sofia D’Aloja, Lara Perissinotto, Carlotta Rizzato, Vittoria Stangherlin.
