Youth Sailing Growth on Lake Garda Boosted by Clubs and Youth Programs
2023 is turning out to be a year of significant resurgence for youth sailing activities on Lake Garda. Nearly every town on the Benaco coast hosts sailing schools, which serve as a breeding ground for a pool of children between 6 and 12 years old who show promising talent. Therefore, in a few years, competitive sailing may rely on a large number of young champions. This expanding reality, perhaps fueled by Luna Rossa’s international successes under Patrizio Bertelli, continues to grow not only within our province but also across the rest of Italy. In recent months, for example, numerous European and World titles have been claimed.
The Role of the Italian Sailing Federation and Youth Development
Leading the entire national youth activity is, among others, a Garda native, Paolo Barziza, a federation councilor for the XII Zone of Garda and Trentino-Alto Adige, and head of the Fiv Working Group for National Sailing Schools and Pre-competition Activities. Barziza, a resident of Desenzano, has previously served successfully as president of Fraglia Vela Desenzano before the current president, Gigi Cabrini. We asked Barziza why this boom?
«All the sailing clubs across the fifteen zones, especially ours – responds Barziza – have worked with dedication and enthusiasm, achieving numerous successes. The number of registered members in this specific age group (6 to 12 years old) has grown significantly, thanks also to the sensitivity shown by school principals and educational directors.»
Successes on the Lake and in Schools
This is the general trend. And on Garda? «With the support of the Province of Brescia and councilor Alessandro Sala – resumes Paolo Barziza – during spring and summer, our local sailing clubs were frequented by numerous children, many of whom approached sailing for the first time.»
Meanwhile, Fraglia Vela Desenzano is basking in the glory of extraordinary successes achieved by its young sailors. For four consecutive years, as Barziza rightly recalls, young helmsmen have won the Optimist category of the Coppa Prima Vela, organized by the Fiv presidency, regarded as a true Italian championship for young sailors. Let’s mention these small “heroes” of Brescia sailing: Marco Baruzzi from Maderno, Fabio Zeni from Desenzano, Luca Dubbini from Maderno, and Joshua Camilli from Salò.
The Teams and Recent Results
But Brescia’s youth program is not producing only talented “soloists,” but also close-knit teams. After winning in 1998 and finishing second in 1999, the Fraglia Vela team, composed of Nicola Barziza, Pierangelo Collura (winner of last year’s Trofeo Topolino), Alessandro Tozzi, Leonardo Lupelli, and Fabio Zeni (silver medals at the Italian championships and fourth at the World Championships in Spain), secured victory in the Italian Optimist team championship following regional qualifiers. As the saying goes, “You reap what you sow,” and indeed, the Fraglia Vela of Desenzano has ranked as Italy’s top club for young registered members for years.
In recent weeks, another major achievement has been registered. At the Italian team championship held in S. Caterina di Nardo, the Desenzano team claimed first place, winning 12 out of 14 races, closely followed by the Maderno team (Baruzzi, Conti, Dubbini, Polotti, and Scolari). Meanwhile, in a few months, the four-year Olympic mandate will expire; what are the future projects?
«I hope – says Barziza – that we continue to work with the same sporting spirit so that we will be rewarded for the efforts made. If I am granted the trust I have received over these years, I will carry on with the work started in the last four years».
