Even at the Under 19 European Championships in Kruszwica in Poland, Lake Como plays the lion’s share. In fact, all thirteen Como people competing in their respective crews got on the podium, winning three of the four golds brought home by Italy, four silvers out of five in total and the only blue bronze.
The four-man match, three-quarters from Como, of Michele Minazzato, Luca Cassina, Filippo BANCA of Lario together with Giovanni Paoli of Florence, was spectacular. The blue boat dominated from start to finish, practically leaving only crumbs to Romania and the Czech Republic. The four with by Veronica Poletti and Sara Lucia Caterisano of Lario is also golden in a challenge that even if only two, he manages to be right about a Romania that has never been tamed. The third “Como” gold goes to Valentina Mascheroni of Menaggio, who proved to be the real strength of the Italian team that repelled every attack from Poland and the Czech Republic, crossing the finish line first.
The others
Let’s move on to the other medals, which, although made of less valuable metal, take on great value in a continental context. In the women’s two-off, Romania triumphed, but the silver was awarded to Italy thanks to the twins Giulia and Marta Orefice from Moltrasio, who never let go and were good second ahead of Hungary. Also on the second step of the podium was Melissa Schincariol from Cernobbio (2023 European doubles champion) who this year tackled the most difficult specialty, the singles. After leading in the first part of the race, the Italian finished second behind the Romanian Sculler and ahead of the Czech. Silver on the wire for the Italian men’s flagship, with Daniele Maria Loconsole of Cernobbio in seventh place, behind Romania and ahead of the Czech Republic. The women’s eight is also silver, with Letizia Martorana, Carlolina Cassani and Sala Lucia Caterisano (called to double duty after the four with) of Lario who had to bow to Romania, but who made a great comeback against Austria, who had to settle for the bronze. Finally, the bronze medal of the women’s four-off by Elisa Bonetti of Moltrasio was also excellent, still in the match and third behind Romania and the Czech Republic.
The success on Lake Como and in particular of the eight Italian players (which later became seven due to the retirement of Natan Sartor) loaned to Italremo by Lario, sent president Leonardo Bernasconi into seventh heaven. «I remained glued to the live streaming – he says – to follow all the finals. Lake Como was also great on this occasion. Obviously I am overjoyed with the results of the Lario athletes: seven with eight medals since Sara Caterisano made two finals. Not only that: we brought home five gold medals, which is equivalent to the same number of European champions. This came shortly after the qualification of three of our Italian players for the Paris Olympics. A year like this was unimaginable. And it’s not over yet”.
Out
«I’m only sorry for Natan Sartor – he concludes – who was unable to participate in our success. Unfortunately, as soon as he arrived on the competition field he suffered severe pain in his ribs and was forced to return home.”
