01/03/2019: Giacomo Gonzi about its ninth Palermo-Montecarlo
For Giacomo Gonzi the next one will be the ninth participation in the Palermo-Montecarlo. This is the reason why, inevitably we are speaking about a veteran... "More than anything else, I feel in love with this regatta", smiles the owner of the Comet 41 Prospettica, the first registered yacht of the 2019 edition in the double handed category. "The first time was in 2011, we were fully crewed. Then from 2014 I have always raced with small crew, that's what I'll do this year once again, I will sail with Marzio Dotti who had to withdraw last year because of an accident".
It sounds natural to ask Gonzi what pushes him to face almost 500 miles with only two persons on board, a navigation that requires great competence and skills.
"The expectation is to find exactly what I have already experienced in other years and that makes this regatta so different, it is an extremely technical challenge with a high sporting component and also a sensational beauty. In competitive terms, beyond the sporting values of the fleet, the Palermo-Montecarlo is a difficult race because it is the only offshore regatta, together with the Sydney to Hobart race, which has a completely linear development, with fundamental steps that the first and the last of the fleet have to face in totally different ways. It is a challenging race and a great adventure both from the sporting and human points of view, even more when you're taking part in double handed crew, those who sail with reduced crew are used to live a certain kind of experiences".
A clear analysis which perfectly explains the reasons that push Gonzi not to miss the appointment with the departure of the Palermo-Montecarlo, scheduled for 21st August. "Sailing is my passion and here we are talking about a real, tactically, challenging regatta, with many hours to spend at sea in an ideal season of the year. All of this without forgetting the impeccable and warm welcome and hospitality of the Circolo della Vela Sicilia, this is the reason why I can't wait to live this race once again".
It sounds natural to ask Gonzi what pushes him to face almost 500 miles with only two persons on board, a navigation that requires great competence and skills.
"The expectation is to find exactly what I have already experienced in other years and that makes this regatta so different, it is an extremely technical challenge with a high sporting component and also a sensational beauty. In competitive terms, beyond the sporting values of the fleet, the Palermo-Montecarlo is a difficult race because it is the only offshore regatta, together with the Sydney to Hobart race, which has a completely linear development, with fundamental steps that the first and the last of the fleet have to face in totally different ways. It is a challenging race and a great adventure both from the sporting and human points of view, even more when you're taking part in double handed crew, those who sail with reduced crew are used to live a certain kind of experiences".
A clear analysis which perfectly explains the reasons that push Gonzi not to miss the appointment with the departure of the Palermo-Montecarlo, scheduled for 21st August. "Sailing is my passion and here we are talking about a real, tactically, challenging regatta, with many hours to spend at sea in an ideal season of the year. All of this without forgetting the impeccable and warm welcome and hospitality of the Circolo della Vela Sicilia, this is the reason why I can't wait to live this race once again".
