Centomiglia 2023: New Dates, Racing Highlights, and Media Coverage
The Grand Hotel Terme will once again host the presentation of the Centomiglia. The “veil” over the course of the 50th edition will be lifted on July 31st. There will be many new features for this half-century celebration, as it is a true record for a regatta in Italy and perhaps in Europe.
The first is an “anthological” volume of over 220 pages featuring images of the races from 1951 to 1999. The work will encompass everything that has been documented over the years with original articles taken from unique editions, numerous books written on the subject, and even web pages.
Authors and Collaborations
Among the authors are journalists and writers such as Beppe Barnao, Luciano Mondini, Giacomo Garioni, Maurizio Bertera, Luciano Mainardi, Margherita Bottini, Luca Belligoli, winners like Beppe Croce, Franco Nocivelli, Oscar Tonoli, Giorgio Falck, Peretti Colò, up to Luca Valerio, presidents of the Circolo Vela Gargnano: Vittorio Bettoni Cazzago and Andrea Damiani.
The graphic design is by Studio Azione of Marco Pedrotti, with layout and printing by Az Color of Sirmione. A significant part of this material will also be on display from August 27 to September 5 at the old Town Hall of Gargnano.
New Dates and Program
The other major news is the date shift, now scheduled one week earlier. The program will kick off on Sunday, August 27th, with the 34th Trofeo Riccardo Gorla, the Gran Premio della Marina Militare. Throughout the week, a series of events will take place.
In the sailing sector, two major competitions will be held: the European Championship of the Asso 99 class and the “Cento Week” for all other monospecific and keelboats in training for the Centomiglia. The start of this last regatta is scheduled for 8:30 AM on Saturday, September 2nd.
Events and Media Coverage
Among the side events will be evenings dedicated to “Luna Rossa” and the “Barcolana” in Trieste. All technical information will be disseminated via the website: www.centomiglia.it, and to facilitate participant registration, a hotel booking system in English and German has been set up, accessible both from the “Centomiglia” homepage and the portal www.lagodigarda.magazine.com.
On the competitive front, many new boats are expected, including the maxi-boat “Principessa,” crewed by Olympic champions from Austria, Germany, and Italy, featuring world-star sailors Werner Fritz and Roberto Benamati.
From France, the return of the small monotype designed by Jean Marie Finot (the same as Giovanni Soldini’s “Fila”) is confirmed, equipped with a wing mast and dominating the “Mono-Proto Moderni” class last year. From Trieste, “8 e mezzo” is announced, the boat designed by Gardesano Felci, which competed in the “Piccoli” class at the Centomiglia a few years ago and at last year’s “Barcolana”.
Television and Media Coverage
On the television front, global coverage is confirmed on “Fox Tv” in the USA, “Star Tv” in Asia, “Sky Sports” in England, and “Ntv” in Germany. Local coverage will be handled by “Teletutto”. “Radio 24” will be the national radio broadcaster, with other initiatives under consideration.
