“What a joy. She has never given me discounts »-Corriere.it

She Claudia Rossigreat promise of sailing who at the age of 30 has already achieved important results, such as three European championships in the J/70 class and the 2021 offshore world title in mixed doubles, the Double Mixed Offshore World Championship in the Venice Lagoon. He Alberto Rossisailor award winner and entrepreneur in the nautical sector.

In the first round of the sailing World League, in the Sardinian town of Puntaldianear St. Theodorethe two returned to battle on the sea and she got the better of it. Claudia arrived second, Alberto fourth in the Melges 32 class, a category in which she made her debut on this occasion. There Petite Terrible-Adria Ferriesof which Claudia was helmsman, the only woman with that role in the race, was faster than Enfant Terrible-Adria Ferries, driven instead by the father. It wasn’t the first father-daughter confrontation, but at this level they had always competed together up to this point. This time the five-time world champion Alberto instead challenged his daughter directly, former European champion of J70, each with its own crew, in a derby that not only concerns the Rossi family, but also two distinct teams of Terrible-Adria Ferries. Claudia won with a practically unprecedented team, the most numerous she has had to manage up to now (Diego Negri, Lorenzo Bressani, Matteo Mason, Francesco Gabbi, Francesco Rampazzo, Marco Furlan and Giulio Maccarrone) against the one reconfirmed almost 100% from the father (Daniele Cassinari, Alberto Bolzan, Stefano Ciampalini, Matteo Celon, Matteo Casali, Roberto Strappati and Andrea Serpi).

Victory without discounts

I don’t like winning easy, that’s why I’m very happy with the result obtained today, these were Claudia Rossi’s first words at the end of the race which saw her prevail over her more expert rival. We were only one meter better and I had a lot of doubts at the beginning, a new team with four days of training. We won by one point and just at my debut in this category I was sure I had to give my best. Then she let herself go on those who asked her how she lived this rivalry with father Albert. We fight each other without hesitation and without discounts, just like that in sport. Pap doesn’t spare me anything, but once I cross the finish line we are father and daughter again, even if in the family the support is divided between me and him. He always reconfirms himself as the most formidable opponent to face, but because he is never wrong, not for anything else. To Claudia’s jokes, Alberto replies with great sportsmanship. I rejoice for her and for her victories of course, but only when I know I defended myself to the end and gave my best. I even tacked on her sails, I noticed her disappointment, but every attempt must be made to win. Once on the ground we exchange advice and observations, not the secrets, everyone keeps those to himself. However, she is my pride, seeing her manage a team of only men is a great achievement, not only for her.

Rivalry and passion

Although there is no room for too much sweetness in the waves, it is precisely the passion for sailing that unites Alberto and Claudia, as well as the achievements they have achieved during their careers, with many goals already achieved for him and many ambitions for a champion who grew up on a boat but has already achieved many successes like her. The recognition received by Alberto Rossi in 2019, that of Owner of the Year in front of historical rivals such as Filippo Pacinotti and Roberto Lacorte, should not be forgotten. In the roll of honor of the winners he received the baton from his daughter, who had won the same recognition in 2018 after the continental successes of 2016 and 2017 (and two world titles lost by a whisker, then conquered in mixed pair with Pietro D’Al in Venice in 2021). Battles at sea are thus always compensated by successes shared and celebrated together. She has no doubts: I enjoy competing a lot, but I owe it to the great passion that dad passed on to me. I owe him every victory I have won. For him, every match, whether against or together, is reconfirmed as something special: They ask us if there are jealousies in the family. I answer that for me the best way to spend time with my daughter, pursuing our great passion. My wife always supports those at a disadvantage, but the truth is that at sea we are perfect strangers, apart from the usual Alberto and Claudia. Next meeting of the World League in a month always in Puntaldia but, considering the premises, once on board, in spite of all affection, it will be a battle on the waves again.