Circolo Velico Marsala

History

The idea of a sailing club in Marsala and the intense passion for the sea and the Lightning class shared by a group of sailors culminated in May 1973 with the international recognition of Lightning Fleet No. 449 in Marsala, comprising Buscemi Salvatore, Linares Vincenzo, Guarrato Giuseppe, Trapani, Riti Francesco and Gianni Pellegrino. In the same year, immediately after the legal establishment of Circolo Velico Marsala, the club leased the premises of a disused discotheque at Capo Boeo, while continuing to use the Lido Marinella as its nautical base. As early as 1974 its athletes took part in the Italian Championship on Lake Garda, and in 1975 Circolo Velico Marsala was awarded the organisation of the Italian Lightning Championship. Three years later, in 1976, the club obtained the state concession for the area where the current facility stands, and thanks to members' efforts the splendid headquarters began to take shape, later expanded to become one of the most important sailing structures in southern Italy. At the same time, the boatyard of members Nuccio De Vita and Gianni Pellegrino grew in Marsala, building wooden Lightning boats appreciated worldwide. As the facility expanded, so did sporting activity: the club organised European and World Lightning Championships, World Contender Championships, the European L'Equipe Championship and many other major international events in Olympic and non-Olympic classes. Athletes such as Sergio Messina, Antonio Marino, Pasquale Vitaggio, Roberto Crucitti, Roberto Giacalone, Giuseppe Seniti, Enrico Tortrici, Alessio Frazzitta, Giuseppe Alagna, Uccio Tripoli, Pasquale Prinzivalli and Antonio Di Benedetto achieved notable national and international results. In 2004 CONI awarded Circolo Velico Marsala the Bronze Medal for Sporting Merit. Among members distinguished within the Italian Sailing Federation are Ignazio Pipitone Florio, current President of FIV Sicily, and Prof. Pasquale Teri, international race officer. Many young people from Marsala were able to practise competitive sailing thanks to the club's promotional work, while others enjoyed recreational sailing within the association. Circolo Velico Marsala became an irreplaceable school of life with the aim of spreading the sport among young people. In 2007 international sports bodies designated the club to host the European Championship of the Olympic 49er class, with 25 nations from five continents taking part.

Boat types