We are introducing you to the 30 legends of sailing. Now it’s your turn to choose the greatest sailor of all time.
Pelaschier represents a turning point in Italian sailing. Born in 1949 in Monfalcone, Gorizia, Italy, into a family of shipwrights and great sailors (his uncle Hannibal, a three-time Olympian, inspired the name of Monfalcone’s Hannibal marina), he won nine Italian Finn titles between ’64 and ’77 and participated in the ’72 and ’76 Olympics: with this resume, he was ready for the America’s Cup and in ’83 he was at the helm of Azzurra: he reached the semifinals of the Louis Vuitton Cup and a great media fame.
Mauro is able to realize his dream: to make a living from sailing. The first professional sailor in Italy, he served as an example to many young people to devote themselves body and soul to racing. In 2007 he returned to the America’s Cup, serving as coach of the Mascalzone Latino team.
Because: He first proved that we can make a living from sailing. With Cino Ricci, he helped popularize sailing in Italy through the Azzurra adventure.