Crivizza, the 1966 “old lady” who is winning it all

Crivizza, the 1966 “old lady” who is winning it all

Crivizza, class of 1966. Exaggerated slides and one of the most elegant sterns still plying the water. These few words alone would be enough to define this grand classic boat, an incredible 11.67-meter II Class RORC (Royal Ocean Racing Club), built of wood by Cantieri Apollonio of Trieste to a design by Alan Buchanan. But Crivizza is also a missile, a lady boat that, net of its 57 years, still sows panic on race courses by cheerfully triumphing on circuits dedicated to the Classics.

Intrigued, we had a chance to “chat” with the owners, Ariella Cattai and Gigi Rolandi ( AIVE general secretary). Here, then, is Crivizza, a classic boat like few others.

Crivizza | History

Sailors since their youth, after a life spent in the Swiss mountains, at CERN, returning to the sea, to experience the sea, was an almost necessary choice. So they approached Crivizza, both Ariella and Gigi, almost without knowing it. Back in Italy, in Versilia, on the docks of Viareggio, they realize that a classic boat is their most natural choice. Reviewing the Kerkyra II, iconic One Tonner designed by Sparkman & Stephens for Marina Spaccarelli Bulgari (third at the ’69 One Ton Cup with Straulino at the helm) convinces them more and more of this idea. These are the boats of their youth, boats laden with a flavor that is now disappearing.

This is where another big name in sailing comes in, his friend Mauro Pelaschier, who points him right to Crivizza, two years ashore but a big project. He himself, in 2018, had gone there in stages, promoting the Charta Smeralda as an ambassador for the
One Ocean Foundation
. It is love at first sight, and Crivizza becomes theirs.

Bought and put in the water, strengthened by a new sail trim masterfully crafted by Olimpic Sails of Trieste, Crivizza immediately reveals its spirit. The boat performs and is super competitive, heaves like few and remains intuitive, balanced on the rudder. A world opens up and Ariella and Gigi embark on this adventure, surrounded by friends and fans ready to participate. In just one year, Crivizza becomes the center of gravity for more than 20 people who, in turn, always turn out to be ready to come aboard as crew.

A crew of friends, but competitive as few and with amazing results. The focus is always them, Ariella and Gigi, unfailingly accompanied by Umberto Wetzel and Antonia Contin. But big names in sailing, Mauro Pelaschier, Roberto Perrone Capano and Roberto Sponza, to name a few, also come aboard.

Refit

In a first and satisfying season, as is natural, Crivizza reveals the pains of age. Fall 2022 is then the turn of the refit. At the Francesco del Carlo Shipyard in Viareggio, she is thus immersed in the world of Versilia’s craftsmen, a world, moreover, among the best that can be found-as the owners point out. The deck and foredeck are redone, as well as the mast foot is also reinforced. Masterful work from which emerges a perfect boat, faithful to the original and even more competitive. The 2023 season confirms this, although still far from over. Indeed, it is now Imperia’s turn, then France, with Antibes, Cannes and Saint Tropez.

Crivizza | The pleasure of having a classic boat

At the end of our “chat,” one question proves more than natural. Looking at a landscape like today’s, full of boats and models of all kinds, there is a gulf between “classic” and “contemporary.” So what does it mean to have a classical boat? What really conquers?

The first response is absolutely sensory: wood-responds immediately to Gigi-the smell of wood. It is a component that envelops you as soon as you step aboard, a component that takes you back in time, to boats like Vagabond, the boats you grew up on.

The second component is the love and passion that these boats evoke. A boat, of any generation, is a creature to be loved. A creature that needs to be loved and needs work. And such a boat, necessarily, is easier to love, key to accepting the sacrifices and work it necessarily entails.

The environment that gravitates around it, however, is also incredible-Ariella adds. That of classic boats is a world of its own, with an atmosphere all its own. Competition exists, lots of it too, but it is not so drawn out, it is competition between friends, between enthusiasts, ready to challenge each other on the water and chat amiably on land. And there is no shortage of sailing greats. It is a world united by a deep passion, from which then comes competitiveness, but a competitiveness charged with beauty, “cozy” almost, in which one is really comfortable. And with boats like this it is certainly easier to experience it.

Three “tidbits” about Classic Boats

• Want to learn more about the world of Classic Boats (1967-1998), the iconic boats of the period, the legendary designers, the stories and races of the “golden age” of sailing? Check out our section dedicated to Classic Boats!
• Do you have a Classic Boat to sell? Put it (for free) on our classifieds market!
• Do you have a Classic Boat? Participate in the SAIL CUP with your boat. There is a special ranking for you! Find out which stage is right for you!

Edited by D. De Luise