Riccardo Simoneschi: “In the Nastro Rosa Tour I see the best Italy.”

The 4th edition of the Giro d’Italia a Vela, an event that is part of the Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour 2024, closed in Venice on July 20.
This is Riccardo Simoneschi, president of Sailing Series International and creator of this splendid format, who tells us his impressions of how this year went. With the awards ceremony that was staged last July 20 in the splendid setting of the ancient Arsenal of Venice in the presence of civil and military authorities and representatives of the institutions, the 4th edition of the Giro d’Italia a Vela, an event organized by Difesa Servizi SpA in collaboration with the Navy and SSi Sports & Events and with the support of ENIT – National Tourism Agency – and the Italian Sailing Federation, came to a close.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyCHumkHKk8 The Giro d’Italia a Vela had started last June 15 from Genoa and stopped in San Remo, La Maddalena, Gaeta, Catanzaro, Durres (Albania), Vieste, San Benedetto, Chioggia and Venice.
So many magnificent ports of call provided the backdrop for exciting races that engaged crews in the Bénéteau Figaro Class 3, Waszp and Wingfoil categories, for a total of more than 50 male and female athletes, the latter increasingly numerous.

A great celebration of sailing, the sea and true values

It was a great celebration of the sea and sailing, but also a fascinating journey through Italy.
Drawing a final balance is Riccardo Simoneschi, president of Sailing Series International and creator of this splendid format that has been enjoying great appreciation from the public and participants since the first edition.

• Richard, so an overall assessment of this 4th edition?

“It has been a long journey, tiring, challenging as always, but rich in satisfaction and certainly above our expectations. After all, work, hard work, sacrifice, are still the shadow of ambition, despite the fact that our society seems to obscure these values because of the “everything and now” philosophy.
The sea, but also sports in general, teach that only behind hard work is the great achievement.
This year, by the way, we were off to a late start, because organizing such an event means involving so many people, institutions, administrations, local authorities, and not everyone travels at the same speed.
Despite the difficulties, however, the whole experience was a great success, which is even more important and gives us great motivation to continue on this path.
Indeed, we are already working on the fifth edition of the Giro d’Italia Nastro Rosa Tour which, I can anticipate, will be held from June 6 to July 15, 2025.”

• Let’s talk about the more competitive aspect.
  How did the regattas go?

“All the competitions again this year were of the highest level. Suffice it to say that many of the leg races involving the fast Bénéteau Figaro Class 3s were pulse-pounding with crews battling until the last miles of the course. The Giro d’Italia a Vela expresses the best of Italian offshore sailing and the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) itself recognizes the level of our competitions, so much so that it has been providing us with their best crews for 2 years already. Among other things, we catch the interest in this event also from the most emblazoned yacht clubs, for example Yacht Club Italiano, Yacht Club Sanremo. For example, we know that the Yacht Club of Monaco is already organizing its own crew for the next edition. One aspect that I would like to emphasize is that the Giro d’Italia a Vela is a long stage race, a kind of endurance test, and as such it has to be taken up by the crews who have to be increasingly able to manage their own resources, from equipment to boat maintenance throughout the course. We always guarantee maximum assistance and support, but we are also pushing for each crew to manage their participation project independently by finding partners and external collaborations, just as happens in professional sports, from Formula One on down. As for the other two disciplines involved in the Giro d’Italia a Vela, namely the Waszp dinghies the WingFoiling class, they practically raced in all the stages giving beautiful emotions to everyone. This year we have also included even larger foils for the Waszp, so as to widen their range of action even in very light breezes.”

• In this early summer, the weather has driven all of Italy crazy.
  What conditions have you found?

“I have to say that the weather actually was always on our side this year. We found wind in practically every leg, even very vigorous, as in the case of the strong Mistral in the waters of La Maddalena. At least until the Durazzo leg, then the temperatures were clement, in fact in some cases they even forced us to bring out the oilskins. Then in late July we also endured the fiercest heat.”

• What do you think were the best stages of this edition?

“I must admit that the stops were all beautiful, with destinations with enchanting scenery and an extraordinary welcoming spirit. Starting with Genoa, where it all started, a city with a long maritime tradition that always reserves special support for us. But the Sanremo stage was also wonderful, then the one in Sardinia for the unique conditions and environment. I was also thrilled with the Gaeta leg with the Guardia di Finanza celebration, the one in Catanzaro, which was really special, and then the one in Durres with a warm and surprising participation. In addition to the regattas, the Sailing Villages we set up in each location attracted many enthusiasts, including perfect sailing neophytes to whom we offered “discovery” outings with the FIV.
I myself took many curious people aboard the Figaro Class 3.
The Giro d’Italia a Vela is also this, to make everyone, not just experts, discover the fascinating world of going to sea.”

• During the event you also brought forward projects in defense of the environment.
  Can you tell us about it? “

Collaborating with the Navy Nastrop Rosa Tour is the Biodesign Foundation, a nonprofit association led by Roberto Guerini, which has very clear ideas on the idea of safeguarding the environment: we need to rethink and redesign the way everyday objects and objects in general are created, keeping in mind their life cycle and possibilities for reuse.
In short, recreating a model of sustainability from scratch.
During the Giro d’Italia, on each stage together with their team, the Coast Guard and state property operators, we cleaned up beaches and seabeds, pulling out an incredible amount of plastic and waste.”

• What Italy have you seen during this long circumnavigation?

“Personally, I have seen the Italy I like best, the one that is enthusiastic and operational, the one that gets busy, that rolls up its sleeves, the one that thanks to creativity and the spirit of collaboration overcomes any obstacle. I understand that at this moment in history there is pessimism around and often the narrative of the country betrays what we actually are: a civilized, noble, industrious people that has been the cradle of civilization and that among its perhaps less obvious folds continues to spread its wisdom, its culture, its will to do. I give an example: often the local governments that support us are unfortunately slowed down by a complex and cumbersome bureaucratic machine. However, all it takes is the personal initiative of a farsighted and courageous representative or delegate and everything is unblocked. I have always believed that we Italians are better than we sometimes tell ourselves.”

• The Navy is always an excellent partner. Is that so?

“The Italian Navy and Defense Services are the two pillars in the Pink Ribbon Tour, without which this event would not have the same strength and authority. In turn, I and my team represent for this armed force an effective backbone for what are the right aspirations for these professionals in uniform to remain as close and amalgamated as possible to civil society, to the community, to all citizens, despite the sacrosanct commitments on the defense front and engagement in international conflicts. The Pink Ribbon Tour is an event that unites men and women, institutions and territory, national pride and culture of doing. I especially want to mention and thank Luca Andreoli CEO of Defense Services, Chief of Staff Enrico Credendino, and Giuseppe Berruti Bergotto Under Chief of Staff, truly effcient people with great vision. We and they are all seafarers, we speak the same language and share the same values that carry Italy’s flag high in the world.”

NAVY PINK RIBBON TOUR 2024 AT A GLANCE

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour 2024 is to.
promote offshore sailing in Italy and coastal tourism, as well as the presence of women in offshore racing and the new culture of environmental sustainability. ORGANIZERS: The Navy Pink Ribbon Tour 2024 is organized by Defense Services S.p.A. in collaboration with Sailing Series International Sports & Events, and with the key support of ENIT – National Tourism Agency and the Italian Sailing Federation.