Bisse Rowing Season Finale: Garda Palio and Lake of Garda Challenges
The caravan of bisse in Gardone, tonight under the moonlight, for the seventh race of the Garda Rowing Palio. This marks the final challenge on Brescia waters.
Then, the agile boats from the Venetian style, ending the rowing season with the last three events along the Veronese Riviera, specifically in Cassone di Malcesine on August 5th, in Bardolino on August 19th, and concluding in Peschiera on August 26th.
So far, the leading role in previous challenges has been dominated by the Scaligerian rowers: particularly the Arilicensi of Ichtya with four wins, the bissa Garda which has successfully challenged the supremacy of the «Peschierotti» on their home waters, and Bardolino, which has secured only second and third places so far.
Three crews that, after winning the elite heat in the Salò race, have not relinquished it and currently occupy the top positions in the standings with a significant lead over their closest rivals.
The results highlight how the trophy, that of the Bandiera del Lago (Flag of the Lake), is largely in the hands of the Peschiera rowers, thanks to Paolo Tacconi, Massimo Raimondi, Osvaldo, and Stefano Mazzurega.
“Rowers who have shown so far,” notes Gianfranco De Iseppi, president of Remiera di Peschiera, “that they are in great physical condition.”
Therefore, barring unforeseen events, the trophy should not slip away from us. For De Iseppi, this is not only a significant result but also a confirmation of the excellent work carried out in promoting Venetian rowing.
Upcoming race and participating teams
As previously mentioned, the Gardone race will commence at dusk, after the traditional parade of crews and boats on land and water.
The sixteen competing bisse will be divided into four heats. The challenge will be initiated by four Scaligerian teams, starting from the two boats from Cassone: Betty and Torricella, Regina Adelaide di Garda, and Lacisium, with the only female presence in the fourth boat, Claudia Todesco.
“We will try to do our best,” says the rower, “after the mishap we had with the broken paddle during Saturday’s race in Lazise.”
This poses a tough challenge for the Preonda, the boat of the young team from the Centro Nautico di Bardolino, which will compete in the second heat against three noble Brescia traditions: Serenissima of Salò, Benacense of Toscolano Maderno, and Sebina of Lake Iseo.
The situation is the same for Birba di Lazise, which in the third race will face Villanella of Gargnano, Portesina of S. Felice del Benaco, and Sirenetta, the local boat.
Finally, the most anticipated race with the magnificent three from Verona.
“We hope not to find ourselves racing again in the most difficult lane,” says Luciano Montresor, president of the Gruppo Bisse di Bardolino, crossing his fingers, “the outer one. In six races, we have ended up there four times, and that certainly doesn’t make our task easier.”