Sartori, the Italian rower

Alessio Sartori (stroke) and Rossano Galtarossa of Italy racing in the men’s double sculls at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games

Italian Alessio Sartori comes in as number 10 in World Rowing’s list of Top 10 Male Rowers for 2005.  This position reflects the many years and hard work he has put into his sport. Here is a glance at Sartori’s career.

Sartori is synonymous with sculling and began internationally as a junior in the double. Staying as a junior for the next two years Sartori moved from second in the single to Junior World Champion. The year was 1994 and Sartori was on a roll. At just 17 years old, Sartori joined his country’s senior quad and at the World Rowing Championships in Indianapolis, USA, he and crewmates Rossano Galtarossa, Allesandro Corona and Massimo Paradiso not only won gold but set a World Best time that still stands today.

This roll continued and in 1995 Sartori became a World Champion again. But luck was not on his quad’s side a year later at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Still just 19 years old, Sartori and his team finished a disappointing fourth.

But Sartori built his way back and the quad was at the top again two years later as World Champions, then on to correct unfinished business by winning Olympic gold in 2000 with teammates Agostino Abbagnale, Simone Raineri and Galtarossa.

After Sydney, Sartori rowed in the double and even in his country’s eight before settling on the double for his third Olympic Games in Athens. Sartori and his partner gained bronze.

Sartori’s life hasn’t been all rowing. He is married and has two children: Matteo and Monica. Still the rowing has continued.

The 2005 season did not go so well for Sartori. He took a break after the final Rowing World Cup in Lucerne, but is already planning his comeback for 2006. This time Sartori is returning to his rowing roots to compete in the single. Beijing, his fourth Olympics, is in his sights.

Sartori’s Rowing Medal Tally
1993 Junior World Championships (1x, 2nd)
1994 Junior World Championships (1x, 1st)
1994 World Championships (4x, 1st)
1995 World Championships (4x, 1st)
1998 World Championships (4x, 1st)
2000 Olympic Games (4x, 1st)
2001 World Championships (2x, 3rd)
2003 World Championships (2x, 2nd)
2004 Olympic Games (2x, 3rd)

Related Links
Alessio Sartori’s complete results and biography.
Top 10 Male Rowers for 2005
Top 10 Male Rowers for 2004

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