Salò Bisse Rowing Championship Highlights and Upcoming Race Preview

The 33rd edition of the rowing championship of the bisse, valid for the conquest of the “Bandiera del lago 2000,” took place at night in Salò, starting with the inaugurating regatta. The event showcased the “Ichtya”, the bissa from Peschiera del Garda that holds the trophy (having won it last year); the vice-champion “Bardolino”, as well as the Lombard boats “Villanella” from Gargnano and “Clusanina” from Lake Iseo.

An inaugural race with no major surprises. The four bisse each dominated their respective heats, and will therefore be part — beginning next Saturday — of the elite club that will undoubtedly energize the 2000 rowing tour. Based on the results of the four heats, the top performance was by the “Ichtya,” which covered the 1,400-meter course with three turns in 6’38’’, creating a significant gap behind it, with “Portesina” in second place, followed by “Benacense” from Toscolano Maderno and “Torricella” from Cassone di Malcesine.

The “Bardolino” also posted an excellent time of 6’41’’, although the Verona rowers found no one capable of truly challenging them. In fact, “Sirenetta,” the bissa from Gardone Riviera, finished second with a 19’’ delay, and further back were “Sebina” and “Preonda,” the second crew from Bardolino.

An outstanding performance was recorded in the third heat by “Villanella” from Gargnano, which won with a roughly half-minute lead over “Birba” from Lazise and “Adelaide” from Garda, while “Lacisium,” seeded as a top contender, disappointed. The only real surprise came in the last heat, with “Garda” crossing the finish just 4’’ ahead of “Clusanina,” which was forced to race offshore due to an unfavorable draw. More distantly placed were “Serenissima,” the Salò bissa, and “Betty” from Cassone.

The starting grid for the upcoming race scheduled for Saturday at Garda (again at night) features “Ichtya,” “Bardolino,” “Villanella,” and “Garda” competing in the “strong” heat, while “Portesina,” “Sirenetta,” “Birba,” and “Clusanina” will race in the third heat; “Benacense,” “Sebina,” “Adelaide,” and “Serenissima” in the second heat.

The crews opening hostilities will be those of “Torricella,” “Preonda,” “Lacisium,” and “Betty.” Currently, the four winning boats lead the standings with 30 points each, followed by the second-place teams, just one point behind; the third-place boats from the heats in Salò are two points behind; and the fourth-place teams make up the current overall standings with 27 points each.