Theo, Conte Rossi Di Montelera

Theo, Count Rossi di Montelera was an entrepreneur and a passionate sportsman. He was the son of Cesare Rossi, Count di Montelera, an honorific title created by King Vittorio Emanuele III on the occasion of the inauguration of the Torino International Exposition, on the 50th anniversary of Italian Unity in 1911. The family owned the famous Martini & Rossi wine and vermouth company.

Theo graduated from law school and performed military service in the cavalry, before devoting himself to business and sport. In addition to bobsleigh, he was a renowned powerboat racer. In 1934 he was world speed champion with the Ardea hull in Gardone, and in 1935 won the Pavia-Venezia race alongside Guido Cattaneo. In 1937 he won the World Championship in Arona with a speed record of 146.532 km/hr. and at the end of the year he participated in the American Gold Cup in Detroit, which he won in 1938. In 1938 he also won the Biella Cup and in 1939 won another World Championship in the 12 litre class with victories in Venezia, Genève, Detroit, and Washington. Count Rossi di Montelera was one of the few powerboat racers to ever defeat US powerboating champion racer Gar Wood.

Count Rossi di Montelera received the Italian gold medal for athletic valor four times, in 1934-35 and 1938-39. Two 1975 Porsche 917 models were made in his honor. He was honorary President of Martini & Rossi and was called “the man of vermouth.”