Garda Rowing Challenge: Brescia and Verona Split, Scaligeri Dominate
Equal heat wins split between Brescia and Verona crews in the third event of the Garda rowing challenge. However, in Gargnano, on the western shore of Lake Garda, the most important race—featuring the most competitive crews competing for the ‘lake banner’—was dominated by the Scaligeri rowers.
This essentially repeated what happened a week earlier in Garda, during the second of ten challenges scheduled throughout the summer. But with a twist: this time, the victory went to the Peschiera-based Ichtya boat with rowers Paolo Tacconi, Massimo Raimondi, Osvaldo and Stefano Mazzurega, while Garda, the surprise boat that continues to impress, finished second, and Bardolino, with rowers still searching for their best form, came in third.
An exhilarating race with the Arilicensi starting very strong, precise in their turns, and ready at the finish to fend off the attack of opponents. “There’s no doubt that the rowers from Peschiera,” states Luciano Montresor, head of the boat group at the Centro nautico di Bardolino, “are currently the best-conditioned rowers. If they keep this pace, I believe they will be able to repeat last year’s success.”
Sharing the same view is Alberto Malfer, the veteran of Garda’s boat. “They are definitely more trained and coordinated than us,” admits the banker with over nine banners won in more than thirty years of rowing activity, “but we don’t give up. A mistake can always happen, and what matters is being ready to strike without hesitation.”
Team results and reflections
Garda’s second place in Gargnano still confirms their success in the second race before the home crowd? “Even on the Brescia Riviera of the lake, we were lucky and competed in the first lane over land, and that certainly,” states Malfer, “worked to our advantage again.”
In the third heat, with four Lombardy-based boats in the water, Portesina from Villanella ranked first over Garda’s bissa, followed by Sirenetta from Gardone and Sebina from Lake Iseo. The Brescia crews also won the previous race, with Serenissima, the Salò-based bissa, taking the victory, narrowly beating Birba from Lazise, captained by Luigi Girelli, Ivan Pozzani, Alberto Maffezzoli, and Stefano Bergamini.
“We haven’t yet managed to achieve the right coordination among the crew,” explains Lili Perinelli, president of the Gruppo bisse of the Associazione Olimpia di Lazise. “Now, we only have the young rowers left to try.” In the opening race of the event, first place was secured by Adelaide from Garda, ahead of Cassone’s Betty, Lacisium, and Torricella at the finish line.
The standings after the third race: Garda and Ichtya both have 89 points; Bardolino 86; Villanella and Clusanina 82; Portesina 80; Sirenetta 77; Birba and Sebina 73; Serenissima 70; Benacense 67; Adelaide and Preonda 65; Lacisium and Betty 60; Torricella 57.
