Milan World Cup - The Might of Italian Rowing

Italian Scullers in action.
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As you gear up for three days under Milan’s early summer sun, it’s time to learn some Italian ways ? in the style of rowing. Don’t expect to see the flag’s red, white and green emblazoned across the bodies of the 102-strong team. Instead, expect a sea of sky-blue to catch your eye for the team known simply as the ?Azzurri.?

Exuberance is the key to being an Italian supporter and Milan is expecting a large contingent ? especially of family members ? who do not hold back when it comes to showing emotion and all bets are off that the medal ceremony will be passionately spirited.

The size of the team is a distinct reflection of the depth of Italian rowing. Expectations are high and rightfully so. Last year they finished second overall ahead of rowing powerhouse, Great Britain, in total World Championship points. This included a healthy command in the lightweight men’s events and overall a tally that added to a weighty precious metal haul of two golds, three silvers and three bronzes.

The team includes names legendary not only in Italy but in rowing circles throughout the world. Agostino Abbagnale keeps the family rowing reputation alive as he heads towards the record books with three Olympic gold medals around his neck. At 200cm tall Rossano Galtarossa also has three Olympic Games behind him including gold at Sydney.

Elia Luini has gold from the last two World Championships, an Olympic silver in the lightweight double and achieved all of this by the age of 23. Carlo Gaddi has defeated all odds as he moves into his nineteenth season as a rower and can boast an impressive longevity. The young crew of Gabriella Bascelli and Elisabetta Sancassani are establishing themselves in the double after coming out of the junior ranks to win bronze at last years World Champs in the double.

Just to be part of the ?Azzurri? tradition, Italian rowers go through a rigorous selection process that includes following a national training program with coaches meeting regularly to discuss the athletes as well as medical and physiological testing. The team also includes a psychologist, Paola Lausdei, who has the trust of the athletes and works closely to make sure the rowers keep ahead of the stress from the quantity of that continues throughout the year.

All of this comes under the guidance of Dr. Giuseppe La Mura, Italy’s Technical Director. He will be keeping a close eye on the team as they work towards the 2003 season goal of qualifying as many boats as possible for the Athens Olympic Games. Judging by past seasons the sky blue unisuits will be seen in full force.