Volvo Ocean Race - Alberto Bolzan lone Italian on Team Alvimedica

by Team Alvimedica on 7 Oct 2014 Hailing from the culturally diverse city of Trieste, Italy, Alberto Bolzan is the team’s lone Italian crewmember. Indeed, the 32-year-old is the only Italian competing in this edition of the Volvo Ocean Race and he brings to Team Alvimedica a flair that only an Italian can carry.

Alberto’s already earned the nickname 'Ferrari' for his swift driving skills that seem better suited for the famous F1 auto racing team. But he understands that Team Alvimedica’s success will help promote the race back home in his sailing-friendly nation.

'I love offshore sailing, that’s why I wanted to do the Volvo Ocean Race,' says Alberto. 'I’m very happy to be the Italian sailor in this edition of the Volvo Ocean Race. I hope we can generate some interest in Italy because Italy needs it. This race is a great part of sailing and we need to generate more interest in Italy.'

Although sailing in his first Volvo, Alberto will be a trimmer and relief helmsman aboard Alvimedica. Alberto’s parents introduced him to sailing shortly after birth when they took him on the family boat for afternoon sails.

He’s done a great deal of racing in one-designs such as the Melges 24 and TP52, and he’s also raced on maxi yachts. His list of victories includes the Melges 24 World Championship and four waterborne versions of the Giro d’Italia. In the past six months he’s made two trans-Atlantic crossings.

'Since we all met back in April, it’s been incredible, really,' says Alberto. 'The two transatlantic and a lot of hours training for the race, it’s all be very incredible. It’s a feeling I’ll keep with me for the rest of my life.'

Alberto is focused and ready for Leg 1. The leg start on Oct. 11 will be his first major offshore race, and he’s not worried about things like fatigue or sleep deprivation.

'I want to win, I’m not scared,' says Alberto. 'I’m very excited to do my first leg of my first Volvo Ocean Race. It’s a great challenge for me. As a team, it’ll be important for us to stay near the top of the fleet. We’re young and we need to gain our experience competing against the strong teams.'

Alberto isn’t worried about a lack of personal time on what could be a 20- to 25-day journey to Cape Town. He’s prepared to be focused on only the racing. 'There’ll be no time to think about anything else,' he says.

But he will miss the ties that bind with family and friends.

'Being Italian is not easy,' says Alberto. 'I’ll miss pasta and pizza. Most importantly is all the barbeques I’ll miss with my friends.'

Given his ebullient nature, Alberto just might find a world of friends over the horizon.