Enrico Zennaro

After numerous attempts, in which eight times Enrico and his team came in second place and once, third place, this is the detailed account of the 2009 event: ‘Victory!!!

An unforgettable day. I won the Barcolana as strategist of the Maxy Jena boat owned by Mitja Kosmina from Slovenia. From the very beginning, the day was full of all kinds of emotions. Weather predictions indicated 15 knots of Bora from 45 degrees. At 9:30 I was already at the top of the Maxy Jena’s mast, studying the horizon and observing our competitors’ movements. The forecast did not seem correct…a 10 knot win, the “tramontana” north wind, from 0 degrees. The crew’s tension was so great you could you could almost touch it! We needed a different strategy! The race began at 10 o’clock with a splendid start. But, almost immediately, just a few meters out, the wind died down and the boats near the Miramare Castle seemed to have the advantage. Something told me that that the race was being transmitted live by Italy’s national television, Rai, that it was being shown on two giant screens located on Trieste’s embankments where there were thousands of spectators, that there were about 1,800 boats taking part and that we must not make any mistakes. Deciding exactly when and where to jibe was very difficult but we kept our cool, luck was with us and we made the right choice. The wind changed direction and came from almost the opposite side, 280-290 degrees at 8-10 knots, which completely changed the situation in favor of the boats closer to Muggia. Fortunately, we were in the center, we exploited this change of wind and at the first buoy situated near Punta Grossa we were in the lead. We maintained this position and won the race without difficulty. The other boats were at least 15 minutes behind us and we sailed in, followed by boats of spectators who cheered us on. Once we crossed the finish line and we could finally relax, we were overcome with emotion. This race was very significant for me, not only for the importance it represents, which had required nine days of rigorous training with four to five hours a day of active sailing, but especially because ever since I was a child, it was my dream. That day, this dream came true.’