First Woman Joins Lake Garda Rowing Palio, Breaking Gender Barriers

Iseo. In the history of the bisse, the agile Venetian-style rowing boats, the port town located on the southern shore of Sebino now figures as the lacustrine center that, for the first time, saw a woman participate in the official regattas of the Garda rowing palio.

This marks the breaking of another barrier that kept the female world outside the challenges for the awarding of the “Bandiera del lago” (“Lake Flag”). An absolute novelty introduced by the bisse group of the Olimpia association from Lazise with the inclusion in the Lacisium team of Claudia Todesco, who competed in the quartet with Loris Perinelli, Luca Papagni, and Walter Gaspari in the first heat.

“Claudia performed very well,” emphasizes the president of the rowing club Lily Perinelli. “She was ready to race last week, but we waited for the Sebino regatta for an official baptism.” The girl has already been called up for Saturday’s race, held in Portese di San Felice del Benaco, and will then compete again at home on Saturday 22, in Lazise.

The fourth race of the palio

Regarding the fourth race of the palio, which was recovered on Sunday night after the event was canceled the evening before due to excessively choppy Sebino waters, it must be said that the presence of the rower did not bring luck to Lacisium, which finished only fourth in the heat, dominated by Benacense, the boat from Toscolano Maderno, followed by Torricella and Betty, the two vessels from the Cassone rowing group of Malcesine. However, it was in the last heat, reserved for the strongest crews, that the Verona boats faced off fiercely.

The victory went to Ichtya of Peschiera for the third time, continuing their streak with a consecutive second win, leading for the entire course and leaving little chance to their rivals. The final was spectacular, especially for second place, with a fierce tussle between Garda and Bardolino, with Bardolino achieving the honorable mention, arriving at the final buoy with a two-second lead over Garda, while Portesina was forced to retire at the end.

Now the four magnificent Paolo Tacconi, Massimo Raimondi, Osvaldo, and Stefano Mazzurega have brought the Ichtya to the top of the standings, with a two-point advantage over Garda and four over Bardolino. They are preparing to turn the midpoint of the championship, possibly with a larger margin, thus laying a likely claim on winning the “Bandiera del lago” for the second consecutive year.

In the two central heats of the event, a complete success for the local boats, with Sebina dominating the second heat, beating Preonda, Birba, and Adelaide, while in the third, Clusenina outperformed the Brescia-based Sirenetta of Gardone, Villanella of Gargnano, and Serenissima of Salò.

The two Sebino boats thus advance to the upper heat, with Clusanina displacing Portesina and qualifying for the elite heat. After the fourth race, the standings are: 1) Ichtya (Peschiera) with 119 points; 2) Garda with 117; 3) Bardolino with 115; 4) Clusanina with 108; 5) Portesina with 107; 6) Villanella with 106; 7) Sirenetta with 102; 8) Sebina with 95; 9) Birba with 93; 10) Serenissima with 93; 11) Preonda with 86; 12) Benacense with 85; 13) Regina Adelaide with 84; Betty with 76; Lacisium with 75; Torricella with 74.

Lineups for the races on July 15th: 1st heat: Adelaide, Torricella, Betty, Lacisium; 2nd heat: Serenissima, Preonda, Birba, Benacense; 3rd heat: Portesina, Sirenetta, Villanella, Sebina; 4th heat: Ichtya, Bardolino, Garda, Clusanina.