Riva motorboats return to the most famous lagoon city in the world on the occasion of the “Riva Days – Marco Polo, ASI NAUTIC SHOW – Contest of Elegance Frederique Constant”, the latter being the main sponsor of the event.
From 28 June to 3 July 2024, a fleet of almost 50 wooden motorboats, built by the Riva shipyard between 1958 and 1996, will be based at the Marina Santelena, in the Stadium area not far from the Giardini della Biennale. The boats will arrive from 12 countries: Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Holland, England, Norway, Finland, Luxembourg, the Principality of Monaco and the USA. The event is organized by the Riva Historical Society, the international Federation that brings together 13 departments, from Sweden to Great Britain, from Norway to Catalonia, with around 700 members from over 30 countries on five continents. Founded in 1998, it is chaired by the Milanese architect Piero Maria Gibellini. Sponsors of the rally are Bavaria Assicurazioni and ASI, the Italian Historic Automotoclub which on this occasion will award the ASI Cup, with technical sponsors Vitale Barberis Canonico, YCV (Yacht Club Venezia) and Marina Santelena. Every day the imposing fleet will explore the beauties of Venice, sailing between the northern lagoon and the islands of Burano, Murano, Torcello, Mazzorbo, Poveglia, the Lido and Pellestrina. Stops, cultural visits and excursions are planned.
The Legend of Carlo Riva
A total of 4,098 boats were launched under the management of engineer Carlo Riva, who passed away in 2017 at the age of 95, founder of the most celebrated brand in the history of pleasure boating. Dreamer, visionary, perfectionist, he was considered the king of the most beautiful motorboats ever. A legend, who made Italian excellence and the village of Sarnico known throughout the world, less than 7,000 souls on Lake Iseo, from which real works of art emerged which earned him the recognition of Pioneer of boating. Until late in life, Carlo Riva sailed and took part in rallies aboard his Lipicar IV, the 1971 Riva Aquarama, now perfectly preserved in Sarnico, which he named with the initials of the names of his three daughters, Lia, Pia and Carla, the latter perished in New York in a car accident in 1986. In 2026 thirty years will have passed since a wooden Riva motorboat has no longer been built.
At Riva Days 2024, all the most important Riva motorboat models will parade, starting with the iconic Aquarama, produced since 1962, of which 12 will arrive in Venice. As many as 15 Tritone and Ariston models, both marketed starting from 1950, arriving at the Florida born two years later and gradually all the others, the Olympic (1969), the Rudy (1972) and the Junior (1966). Right at the Riva Olympic La bella vita and at the Aquarama Special Maud II and Grifone, all built in 1974, the privilege of celebrating half a century since their launch on the occasion of this great event. The Riva Florida Tender To Rhea from 1958 will be the oldest participating vessel, while the Aquarama Special Riva Classiche from 1996 will be the most recent, owned by the Riva shipyard.
Sunday’s Parade with vintage sails and the elegance competition
It will be an extraordinary spectacle that will be presented to anyone walking along the banks in front of the San Marco Basin on Sunday 30 June 2024. Around 11 am, the Riva fleet will take part in the great parade together with the vintage sailing boats that are competing in the eleventh edition of the “Principato di Monaco Trophy in Venice – Le Vele d’Epoca in Laguna”.
Around midday, upon returning to Marina Santelena, the Rivas will take part in the “Marco Polo” themed Frederique Constant Elegance Competition, dedicated to the 700th anniversary of the death of the Venetian explorer and author of “Il Milione”.
