Palio delle Contrade: Key Leaders and Schedule for August Race
It is time for the Palio delle Contrade. On Ferragosto, the traditional race will take place, featuring the crews of the nine historic districts of the town. The names of the rowers, four per boat, who will wear the jerseys of the various contrade, remain completely secret. So far, only the team captains have been announced, all quite well known within the rowing community: many of them are also involved in the bisse sector, which, as is known, features an elite category representing the great challenge between the boats of Peschiera, Garda, and Bardolino. After the Ferragosto break, this category will have its decisive conclusion in Bardolino (Saturday, August 19) and in Peschiera on August 26.
The team captains
The captain of Borgo, the reigning champion district, is Pierfrancesco Maffezzoli. Borgo, which also won the ’98 Palio, will aim this time to secure the historic third consecutive win, already achieved by Porto from 1993 to 1995. Marco Monese will lead the Rosa, Loris Ridolfi the Antiche Mura, Luca Monese the Pio, Alberto Maffezzoli the Losa, and Marco Favetta the Spagna.
Notable rowers and key players
Corsetto and Porto will be led by two of the most titled rowers on the lake: the team captains of the two districts will be Alberto Malfer and Pino Monese, winners of numerous «Lakes Flags» in the bisse tournament. Finally, Matteo Pincini is the young helmsman of Piazza, the ninth district, which was admitted to the Garda race last year.
Schedule and event details
While the rowers are still being finalized (it seems only three districts have already «locked in» their crews), the schedule has been officially confirmed. It begins on the evening of August 14 with the flag-raising parade through the streets of the town, which will be repeated on the morning of Ferragosto, the day of Assumption, the town’s patron saint. August 15 is race day: rowers gather at 7 p.m., the wooden statue of the Assumption will be blessed at the parrochial church at 8 p.m., followed by a parade through the historic center.
At 9 p.m., the «boats in water» order will be given: three races will be held, each with three crews competing in each round; the first-place team from each group will advance to the final. The final race will start at 10 p.m., immediately followed by a fireworks display. Once again, the event promises to be spectacular and intensely competitive (Porto will surely fight hard to the very end against rivals Borgo), and as usual, it will be overwhelmed by thousands of tourists and holidaymakers seeking curiosity and excitement. (a.p.)