Centomiglia 50th Anniversary: Celebrating Lake Garda’s Historic Sailing Race

The Centomiglia, the most important European regatta held on freshwater, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and commemorates the event with the publication of a book that recounts half a century of international sailing history.

The Centomiglia was founded in 1950, modeled after the automobile race Mille Miglia, and like that race, participation is open to all. The only requirement for boats is that they have a fixed keel.

At the first edition, 17 boats took part. The winner was the 6-meter International Class «Airone» by Umberto Peretti Colò from the Venezia Sailing Company. In subsequent editions, the number of participants and the event’s fame grew exponentially.

Winners and famous participants

This race has been won on several occasions by renowned skippers such as Giorgio Faick, Sepp Hoess, Umberto Peretti Colò, Beppe Croce, and the Fehlmann brothers.

The winners’ roll of honor also features prominent Verona-based champions like the late Fabio Albarelli, Flavio Scala, Mario Celon, Claudio De Luca, and Roberto Benamati.

Organization and celebration

The «Cento», organized by the Circolo Vela Gargnano, every September attracts hundreds of crews and boats from around the world, competing along a route that spans the entire Garda Lake.

An authentic celebration of sailing, an ode to Lake Garda, a paradise for this sport.

The book and the regatta’s history

The fifty-year commemorative book, published by the Circolo Vela Gargnano, designed graphically by Marco Pedrotti and produced by Az Color, describes the «Cento» through testimonies from winners, organizers, judges, journalists, and spectators.

It’s a sort of 200-page summary of the legend of the «beautiful tale», as Beppe Croce loved to call it. The texts have also been translated into English, German, and French.

Calendar and opening event

The 2000 edition of the Centomiglia will be held earlier than in previous years, when it started on the second Saturday of September. The 50th edition of the Cento is scheduled for Saturday, September 2, just a few days before the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics.

Luca Belligoli