Antonio Carattino

Antonio Carattino represented Italy at three editions of the Summer Olympic sailing tournament. In 1952 he was with the club U.S. Albisolese, on the boat “Galatea II” in the Dragon. In 1956 he was with Centro Velico Spirito Varazze on “Twins VIII “, and in 1968 he was with Circolo Nautico Al Mare Varazze on “Twins XIV “, both times in the 5.5 class. All of the boats were built by the Varazze shipyard “ Baglietto “ and on the boats his role was as an operator.

In addition to his three Olympic appearances (the last one at the age of 45), his most prestigious win dates back to July 1956 in the French Cup held in Creux-de-Genthod on Lake Geneva, when he won with the 5.5 meter SI Twins VII, alongside the Olympians Massimo Oberti (who later became a wealthy shipowner) and Carlo Spirito. It was the third time that an Italian boat had won the French Cup, following victories in 1902 in Marseille and in 1938 in Cannes. The previous year (1955), with the same boat, he had won the Gold Cup in Sandhamm (Sweden) with Oberti and Giuseppe “Pino” Canessa.

In 1968 he was awarded the bronze medal of the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) and in 2000 the bronze star for managers. In April 2019, on the centenary of the club, the Management Board of the Varazze Club Nautico decided to unanimously appoint Antonio Carattino as Honorary President. He was then again called to the fore for the presentation of the symbolic parchment, a well-deserved prize for a former President who at 95 years showed that the passion for sailing can lead to overcome physical barriers unthinkable for age.