Carlo Nasi

Born into a middle-class family, whose father Agostino was a municipal employee, Carlo Nasi developed a passion for football from a young age. Initially a member of Internazionale Torino, he then moved to FC Torinese and played in the first Italian Championship, held on a single day on 8 May 1898. The championship consisted of four teams, and Torinese lost to his former club Internazionale in the semi-final. Torinese were beaten in the final two years later by the top club of the day, Genoa Cricket and Football Club.

Nasi graduated as an engineer like his father and turned his attention away from football to sailing. In 1919 Nasi married Caterina Agnelli, daughter of Giovanni, founder of FIAT, and became the brother-in-law of Admiral Umberto Cagni, who taught Nasi the rudiments of sailing. His most important encounter, however, was with Cencio, Baron Massola, a renowned seafarer from Genova and member of the Royal Italian Yacht Club (RYCI), with whom Nasi established a friendship and sporting partnership.

After World War I, when he earned decorations for valour on the French front, Nasi began sailing competitively, and under Massola’s guidance became one of the most highly regarded Italian sailors. In 1924 Nasi, and his 6-meter “Mebi”, was selected for the Paris Olympics. The quickly assembled crew of Massola, and Roberto Moscatelli (selected ahead of his brother Edoardo finished seventh out of nine. Nasi continued racing throughout the 1920s and early 1930s.

Nasi played an active role in the economic and social life of Torino, although he did not have a direct role in the management of FIAT. He was involved in many institutions and associations and mixed in aristocratic circles. The father of four, Nasi was widowed in 1928 following the premature death of his wife. He subsequently devoted himself to his family and the administration of his estate until his untimely death in 1935 at just 57-years-of-age.