Ichtya Wins Fourth Consecutive Race in Lake Garda Rowing Challenge
Ichtya unbeatable. The Peschiera crew scored their fourth consecutive victory on Saturday evening, putting, even with four races still to be contested, a substantial lead in the race for the Lake Flag, the top rowing trophy of Garda already won last year.
The quartet, with Paolo Tacconi at the first oar, Massimo Raimondi at the second, and Osvaldo and Stefano Mazzurega at the third and fourth, respectively, in front of an audience of large spectators packed along Lungolago Marconi, demonstrated they are in excellent form and could even aim to surpass the six victories achieved by Bissa Peschiera in the 1996 rowing challenge, which first awarded the coveted Bandiera to the Arcilicense rowers.
Race Progress and Commentary
This was clearly evident on Saturday’s heat, where, starting very strongly, Ichtya led the entire race. Then, fifty meters from the finish buoy, they gave an exhilarating display of power with an overwhelming surge, pulling ahead by five seconds over Garda’s Bissa and six over Bardolino, which was slightly delayed after touching the Navigarda buoy offshore, and nearly half a minute ahead of Sirenetta of Gardone.
«It couldn’t have gone better,» exclaims Gianfranco De Iseppi, president of the Peschiera rowing club. «If no dips in form occur, we are unlikely to cede the trophy.» In the standings, they already have a five-point lead over Garda’s Bissa and seven over Bardolino, the other two Verona-based crews in the top three provisional rankings.
Awards Ceremony and Related Events
The event gained momentum early in the first race, after the crew of rowers, with banners blessed by parish priest Don Sacchella, paraded through the village streets, accompanied by the notes of the Garda small band, and a moment of silence was held in memory of Federico Danesi, the young athlete from Olimpia Lazise who was tragically killed in a road accident.
On the water, four Verona teams participated, including Bissa Lacisium with the only female representative, Claudia Todesco. The race featured two exciting head-to-head battles: between Adelaide di Garda and Preonda for first place, won by Bardolino’s boat, and one between Lacisium, somewhat unfortunate after breaking a paddle, but still managing to beat Torricella di Cassone.
The local fans were also thrilled by Birba, another Lacisium boat, which narrowly beat Sebina from Lake Iseo. Followed by Benacense of Toscolano Maderno and Bety of Cassone.
In the next heat, four Brescia crews took the water, including the full team of Clusanina and in order Portesina of Portese, Villanella of Gargnano, and Serenissima of Salò.
The award ceremony took place in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, crowded with spectators, with Mayor Luca Sebastiano, Budget Councillor Renzo Franceschini, Events Delegate Roberto Campagnari, the Deputy Pieralfonso Fratta Pasini, the mayor of Bardolino Armando Ferrari and the sports councillor Gino Viola on stage.
Floral tributes were given by Sebastiano to Claudia Todesco, the Lacisium rower, and to Anna D’Amico, from the rowers, former president of the Lega Bisse del Garda and Iseo.
The event now moves to Saturday, 29th, in Gardone Riviera; then, on August 5th, the entire fleet of boats heads back to the Verona shore, with the Cassone di Malcesine regatta, Bardolino on August 19th, and the final in Peschiera on August 26th.
Lake Flag Standings
Alvaro Joppi
Lake Flag Standings after the 6th race:
1) Ichtya points 179; Garda 174, Bardolino 172; Clusanina 161; Portesina 157; Sirenetta 155; Villanella 154; Sebina 139; Serenissima 138; Birba 136; Benacense 125; Preonda 123; Betty 113; Lacisium 107; Cassone 106; R. Adelaide 101.