The matches saw Slovenia triumph ahead of Italy, while France prevailed over the Netherlands in the bronze final
Il Trofeo San Giovanni-Challenge Canottieri Firenze has closed the celebrations of San Giovanni 2024.
The event desired by the president of the red and white rowing association Michele Nannelli and organized together with the Filippi Shipyard of Donoratico and the Society of San Giovanni Battista of the president Claudio Bini – with the patronage of the Italian Rowing Federation – to greet the historic start of the Tour de France from Florence.
The races, in eight mixed Under 23s and with eight European nations competing such as Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy (with three Florentine athletes on board such as Giorgio Cecchini, Vittoria Caterina Card and the helmsman Andrea Pagliaro), Holland, Slovenia and Spain, they followed one another throughout the afternoon, and after the quarter-finals, repechages, semi-finals and the two finals for third and fourth place and first and second place, they saw Slovenia triumph over Italywhile in the bronze medal match France beat Holland.
The first edition of the San Giovanni Trophy was a success with the public and the showthanks to the efforts of the organizing committee of the regatta with the collaboration and support of the main sponsors Guess and Tivoli Hotel Resorts, the sponsors Fisiorama, Florence On The Go and TM Wagen, the technical sponsors Chinese Dragon Boat Italy, Paolo Penko and Terre dell’Etruria, and with the logistical support of Once Extraordinary Events. Paolo Penko himself, owner of the famous and eponymous goldsmith’s shop in the heart of Florence, created the prestigious trophy donated during the awards ceremony. During the challenge, there was also space for the parade of a boat from Canottaggio Sociale, the new sports area launched by the FIC that aims to achieve social responsibility in terms of prevention, health and well-being.
Many personalities from the Florentine sports world and beyond were present, together with the presidents Nannelli and Bini, owners of the Organizing Committee of the regatta: the owner of the Filippi shipyard in Donoratico David Filippi, the vice president of the Italian Rowing Federation Antonio Giuntini, the president of the Mediterranean Games Davide Tizzano, the famous sports journalist Enzo Bucchioni – among the six finalists of the Bancarella Sport 2024 Award with his book on the Italian football coach Luciano Spalletti entitled “Il vincere” – the six-time Olympic athlete and winner of four medals at the Olympic Games in rowing with Slovenia (gold in Sydney 2000, silver in Athens 2004, bronze in Barcelona 1992 and London 2012) Iztok Cop, and the godmother of the event, Elisabetta Nencini, daughter of Gastone Nencini who from the Florentine town of Barberino del Mugello went on to win the Tour de France in 1960.
“We are proud to have concluded the celebrations of San Giovanni with the great rowing show in the shadow of the Ponte Vecchio – he declares Claudio Binipresident of the Società San Giovanni Battista – I would like to thank the other promoters who made this sporting event on the Arno possible; the Società Canottieri Firenze, the Institute of Military and Aeronautical Sciences of Florence, which hosted the competing delegations, and the Filippi shipyard in Donoratico of the patron David Filippi for their support. The Società San Giovanni, thanks once again to the craftsmanship of the Bottega Orafa Paolo Penko, awarded the San Giovanni Trophy to the best crew. The relationship between the San Giovanni and the Arno is rooted in tradition; in Palio of the navicelli or small boats which took place in July from 1250 to 1740 in honour of San Jacopo. Florentine boatmen and sandmen competed in the city regatta between Ponte Vecchio and the Pescaia di Santa Rosa. From Coronation of the Marzocco at the Cetilar Run Night of San Giovanniand then the Procession of Homages with the Offering of the Candles and the delivery of the Crosses, carrying on the tradition is our mission. Fochi were once again the most suggestive eventthanks to the fundamental contribution of the Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze Foundation, but our activities are many. I invite everyone, especially young people, to discover the Society of St. John the Baptist and the wonderful people, companies, supporters and volunteers, who collaborate to make the celebrations of the Patron Saint unique”.
