Bardolino Wins at 34th Palio delle Bisse with New Race Format
Spurred on by the boats from Verona. In the opening race of the 34th edition of the Palio delle Bisse, for the awarding of the Lake Flag 2001, it was the boat Bardolino that opened the list of trophies reserved for the winners of each evening.
The quartet composed of Venetian rowers Bruno Maffezzoli, Silvano Dall’Agnola, Mauro Faraoni, and Francesco Maffezzoli beat the Ichtya from Peschiera, the boat holding the trophy, driven by Paolo Tacconi, Massimo Raimondi, Osvaldo, and Stefano Mazzurega.
In third place was the bissa Garda crew, made up of Matteo Pinoini, Michele Bertoncelli, Ferdinando Sala, and Alberto Malfer. The following positions were occupied by: Clusanina from Lake Iseo, Portesina from Portese, and Foscarina from Gardone Riviera.
Progress of the heats and innovations
The final of the evening took place, as stipulated by the new regulations governing this year’s races, on a shortened course with a single turning mark. One of the most significant innovations introduced this year to the rowing event aims to create a more spectacular show.
It is still too early to see if the goal has been fully achieved. Every innovation needs time to prove effective and gain consensus. Moving to the first of the three heats, with the first five teams drawn from the seventeen participating, it was the Bardolino bissa that enlivened the race, closely followed by Clusanina.
Next came Villanella of Gargnano, Birba of Lazise, and Ca’ Da Mòsto, the boat from Sirmione. No surprises in the following heat, with the defending champions Ichtya of Peschiera leading the entire course, followed by two boats from Garda (Garda and Regina Adelaide), by Preonda of Bardolino, and by Lacisium with Claudia Todesco rowing, who this year was not alone, as on the S. Ercolano, which finished sixth, there were Cristiana Merigo and Giulia Bentivoglio.
Bruno Bignotti, the coxswain of the Metà Rosa from Maderno, assured that they will eventually manage to surpass a male crew, also thanks to a third rower, the Dutchwoman Cristina Klain.
Final and ceremonies
In the last heat, Foscarina from Gardone and Portesina battled fiercely for the lead until the very last stroke, with Foscarina crossing the line a few centimeters ahead.
Following were Sebina, Serenissima of Salò, Benacense of Toscolano Maderno, and Torricella of Cassone. The nighttime event opened with a parade, preceded along the Salò lakeside by the Muscoline Band Corps directed by maestro Alberto Ventura, and followed by a good crowd.
During the award ceremony, the mayor of Salò, Giampietro Cipani, the president of the Lega Bisse, Franco Poli, and the presidents of the rowing clubs participated via video link. The next event is scheduled for Saturday, June 23rd in Gardone, again at night, for a shortened championship with eight races this year, culminating in Bardolino on August 11th, for the awarding of the symbolic trophy represented by the Flag of the Communitas Benacensis.
