A tribute to Giorgio Zuccoli

Remembering the late Melges 24 world champion and top Tornado sailor

From Giovanni Belgrano Giorgio was the first serious 420 racer in Italy, back in 1977. He was immediately an incredible, natural sailor; his nickname was "chitah",because his agility in sailing the boat was alike to the animal's agility in the jungle' trees. We went to many championships together, he was great fun to be with, we had a great time in Denmark in 1978. Really Giorgio pushed our little generation group hard. My brother in-law DiSalle ended-up world-champion two years later, and I got bronze in the youth worlds, thanks to Giorgio's raising the starting level. Giorgio was fearless, and sailed in a league of his own on lakes, particularly on his home-lake of Iseo; he could short-tack up the shore of this lake like no one else. Elio Sina, Giovanni Cassinari and Glisoni will miss him terribly, as well as the
rest of the whole of my generation of youth sailors. Giorgio carried-on applying his amazing natural talent in sailmaking and sailing to the Tornado and the Melges24, in unique sportsmanlike manner everyone knows him for that. Le mie piu' sentite condoglianze alla famiglia, Giorgio ci ha resi orgogliosi con i suoi successi e lo ricordiamo con grande affetto.

From Hans Barth and family
My respects to Giorgio and his family. What a terrible loss to the sailing community. At the 91 Tornado worlds in Cagliari we rented his number two boat. We spent a lot of time together having the greatest of times. When he won that title the place went into a frenzy. I still have that footage. Everybody liked Giorgio. We met him more often in Austria and in Miami. A pleasure to have known him.

From Morgan Reeser
I met Giorgio for the first time at the Melges Worlds last summer in La Rochelle. My most memorable encounter with Giorgio came late in the series with our two teams all but tied in the overall standings. We tried to cross Giorgio downwind in 25 knots of breeze, at best we crossed by five feet. Instead of giving us an aggressive hail when we crossed on port tack, I looked up - Giorgio was just laughing. He never failed to exude anything other than enjoyment, excitement and sportsmanship - something we should all strive to do more of.

From Duncan McDonald
I believe that Giorgio was one of the best sailors of our time. He was not only phenomenally talented as a sailor but , for an Italian, his team as well was the most fair, fun and honest sailor that I have personally sailed against and I am so pleased he managed to win the Melges 24 worlds before he passed away. We, as the Glenfiddich team, had more close racing and fun with Giorgio than ever after - all love, fun and happiness to his team and friends. He was the perfect sailing star and always will be in my eyes.

From Ian Barker 49er Silver Medallist. Sydney 2000
To Christiana and Maria: I met the man once when I was the chairman of the Melges 24 class in the UK. He was a very gracious man and very approachable. Beyond that I knew little of him apart from his sailing record which was exceptional, especially over the last few years. Also as a sailmaker at heart myself, I admire his talents in his chosen field of work and his achievements. Truly one of the best in the world. My condolences and best wishes at this time.

Ben Cooke USA 353
Having sailed Melges 24's against Giorgio for the last six years it is going to be strange to be at a Europeans or Worlds and not see the all-too familiar sail number of ITA 139 crossing ahead of us up the first beat. Giorgio was an incredible sailor whose downwind speed in a Melges had to be seen to be believed. The memory of Giorgio's grin at the prize givings (and colossal celebrations that followed) at the 1996 Melges Europeans and the 2000 Worlds, both won by Giorgio and his team, will always remain with me. You will be missed.

From Richard Thompson
Competing at the Melges Worlds last year we were all touched by the delight with which the whole fleet welcomed Giorgio's victory. It was almost as if everyone (even the other contenders) wanted him to win. His commitment to the class and genuine desire to see the amateur sailors improve showed what a great guy he was. On the very rare occasions that we beat him (only once I think!) he appeared genuinely pleased for us and went out of his way to congratulate us. Everyone in the Melges fleet will miss his honesty, integrity and the opportunity to occasionally beat one of the very best sailors to race in the class.

From Giovanni Belgrano
Giorgio was the first serious 420 racer in Italy, back in 1977. He was immediately an incredible, natural sailor; his nickname was "chitah", because his agility in sailing the boat was alike to the animal's agility in the jungle' trees. We went to many championships together, he was great fun to be with, we had a great time in Denmark in 1978. Really Giorgio pushed our little generation group hard. My brother in-law DiSalle ended-up world-champion two years later, and I got bronze in the youth worlds, thanks to Giorgio's raising the starting level. Giorgio was fearless, and sailed in a league of his own on lakes, particularly on his home-lake of Iseo; he could short-tack up the shore of this lake like no one else.

Elio Sina, Giovanni Cassinari and Glisoni will miss him terribly, as well as the rest of the whole of my generation of youth sailors. Giorgio carried-on applying his amazing natural talent in sailmaking and sailing to the Tornado and the Melges24, in unique sportsmanlike manner everyone knows him for that.

Le mie piu' sentite condoglianze alla famiglia, Giorgio ci ha resi orgogliosi con i suoi successi e lo ricordiamo con grande affetto.