It was held today the traditional Regata Storica, the oar's "Formula 1" and the main event of the Venetian community who makes rowing (voga) its passion and philosophy of life. This is an edition dedicated to the late Palmiro Fongher.
To win the red flag in the category of Gondolini with two oars was, for the second edition, the crew formed by Matteo Zaniol and Nicolò Trabuio; for the Women on mascarete with two oars Luisella Schiavon and her daughter Lara Vignotto; for the Giovanissimi on pupparini with two oars it was the crew formed by Samuele Smerghetto and Alessandro Nardin; for the Giovanissime it was the mascareta with the twins Teresa and Angela Nardin; the category of six-oared Caorline was won by the light blue one with Roberto Busetto, Nicolò Schiavon, Renato Busetto, Fabio Donà, Mattia Baldin, and Andrea Rosin on board.
The celebrations kicked off with the spectacular historical procession that recalls the life and gestures of Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus and subject of the Serenissima Republic, who during the Renaissance gave up her throne in favour of Venice: this year, the role was played by Venetian actress Debora Caprioglio. The Grand Canal filled up with more than 130 historical boats, "bissone da parada", trumpeters and costumed figurants and, after them, the sporting water parade with more than 60 colourful boats belonging to the local athlete associations', and about 400 rowers on board who captured the applauses of the audience.
After the parade, the actual competitions took place.
Four were the official categories to compete, renewing once again a tradition dating back to at least the 13th century and the glorious past of one of the most powerful and influential Mediterranean maritime republics. In addition, the competitions dedicated to kids, the future of Voga alla Veneta, were held. Thousands were the people on the rivers and on the balconies of the ancient Venetian palaces to support the competitions, applauding and encouraging athletes of every age. Inside the "Machina", the place chosen for the ending of the races and the award ceremony, the many authorities: among them, Margherita Cassano, president of Corte di Cassazione, the highest position in the Judiciary. Then the Japanese Ambassador in Italy, Satoshi Suzuki, the parliamentarians Martina Semenzato e Giorgia Andreuzza, the Prefect Darco Pellos, the regional councillor Lucas Pavanetto e Marco Dolfin and the delegate of the patriarch don Marco Zane, councillors and municipal councillors beyond numerous metropolitan mayors.
The Universities rowing challenge, which has been competed since 2004 onboard historical ships and is organized by Ca' Foscari in collaboration with the IUAV University and the Venetian CUS, saw the competition between the crews of the Venetian universities, of the University of Bari, Warwick and Zurich in a route of 750 meters: again this year, to stand out was Ca' Foscari.
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro paid homage to Palmiro Fongher by requesting the "alzaremi", the traditional raising of the oars. Giovanni Giusto, Delegate Councillor for the Protection of Traditions of the City of Venice, has then underlined the importance of the great number of young people and children that, with so much passion, have competed to win the red flag.
On the stage of the "Machina" also took place the award ceremony of the Marco Polo Cup, which was disputed on Friday, August 30, and saw the winning of the Ca' Foscari team over the twinned city of Suzhou.
