Solitario, ma non troppo

(Lonely, but not too lonely)

Conversations between Michele Masneri and Ambrogio Beccaria

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The ocean sailor

Ambrogio Beccaria

Ambrogio Beccaria came to sailing by chance. Born in 1991 in Milan, he first took to the seas at a summer school in Sardinia and instantly fell in love with the sport. He studied for a degree in nautical engineering and set out to learn everything he could about ocean sailing. Ambrogio has a visceral relationship with the sea and the competitive streakeness that distinguishes the most experienced athletes. He is the first Italian to have won the Mini Transat, a solo transatlantic race for the Mini 6.50 that starts in from France and ends in the Caribbean, and whose finish line is usually crossed first by the French themselves.

Passion, expertise and a pioneering spirit - all distinctive traits that connect Ambrogio with the style and values of Pirelli, which is accompanying him on the world’s most iconic solo races and regattas.

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The writer

Michele Masneri

Michele Masneri writes about culture and customs for Il Foglio. Was a correspondent in Silicon Valley for the same newspaper and, based on his reporting, wrote the book “Steve Jobs Doesn't Llive Here Anymore ” (Adelphi, 2020). He has also written the novel “Addio, Monti” (Minimum Fax, 2014), an essay on Alberto Arbasino, “Stile Alberto” (Quodlibet, 2021) and a collection of profiles “Dinastie” (Rizzoli, 2022). He received the Forte dei Marmi award for Satire (2014) and Premiolino (2022).

The illustrator

Pietro Nicolaucich

Pietro Nicolaucich grew up in Tarvisio in the north- east of Italy, a land of mountains, forests and borders. It is precisely these elements, combined with his childhood and a love of seafaring adventure novels, that constitute the recurring motifs of his works.

Self-taught as a designer and writer, he began his career as an illustrator in Milan in 2009. He has , collaborated with clients including. Salani, Bompiani, GEDI, Mondadori, De Agostini, Feltrinelli, MTV, Moschino, Sisley, Benetton, Prada, Nike, Gas, Under Armour , Audi and BMW, and contributes to the drafting of texts for the online museums of the Google Cultural Institute.

Solitario ma non troppo

The map of the story

By Michele Masneri

01 | Wilderness

02 | Food

03 | Fear

04 | Sleep

05 | Free time

Voyages

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Voyages

Transat Québec Saint-Malo

The Transat Québec Saint-Malo is a symbol of courage, determination and passion for sailing. It is an experience that changes sailors, a journey that challenges the limits of competition and performance, mixing the exhilaration of speed with the tension of ocean racing. Experienced sailors gather in Canada to embark on a crossing that is as much a test of skill as it is of mental and physical endurance.

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Sailing stories

All the uniqueness of the Transat Québec Saint-Malo

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The story of Ambrogio Beccaria

Solitario
ma non troppo

The first time I’d heard about Ambrogio Beccaria I’d expected to see someone who was adventurous a bit ruffled. A solo sailor no less, one who spends weeks at a time alone at sea, I thought to myself, will be a dreamer with his head amongst the clouds. Who knows what drives someone to do such a thing? Then his name for sure had me stumped. And yes, when I’ve met him, Ambrogio seemed the stereotypical boy next door, polite. There was nothing of the tortured hero you might expect. So I sought to find out more about this Ambrogio by asking a few questions, studying his background and trying to learn his secrets.

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Sailing stories

All the uniqueness of the Transat Québec Saint-Malo

The regatta reaches its tenth edition with its baggage of stories, epics and cultural values that is hard to match. It starts from the St. Lawrence River heading for the English Channel, on a highly demanding course in the North Atlantic.

The “Alla Grande Pirelli” wins The Transat CIC

After almost 12 days of sailing, Ambrogio Beccaria on the “Alla Grande Pirelli” crossed the finish line of the historic solo trans-Atlantic first among the Class40.

In the stormy waters of The Transat CIC

Departure from Lorient, arrival in New York, on a classic solo crossing, amid unpredictable waves, freezing temperatures and adverse weather condition.

Alla Grande Pirelli first in the Transat Jacques Vabre

Ambrogio Beccaria’s boat, with Nicolas Andrieu as co-skipper, was first of the Class 40 to reach the Island of Martinique, the finish of the legendary trans-oceanic regatta.

The Transat Jacques Vabre oceanic regatta

Sailing from Le Havre to Martinique for 4.250 miles, the long-awaited competition has finally come for European sailors.

Ambrogio Beccaria - The Beginning

The Milanese sailor has been going to sea since he was eight years old despite the fact that sailing is not in the family, neither did it even own a boat. His first steps, with hindsight, are those of a predestined talent who never merely rests on their laurels, but has instead always worked to conquer the sea.

Good vibes for Ambrogio Beccaria at the Rolex Fastnet Race

After a nightmare weather start and a 120-minute penalty, Alla Grande Pirelli crosses the finish line in second place.

Ambrogio Beccaria wants to do an encore in the Normandy Channel Race

After last year's success, the Milanese sailor repeated the feat aboard his Alla Grande Pirelli accompanied by Kevin Bloch, in a regatta full of pitfalls between the waters of the English Channel and the Celtic Sea.

Défi Atlantique, harnessing the waves of the Atlantic aboard a Class40

From Guadeloupe to the West of France, the new regatta setting off on 1st April is a green and captivating return journey for the boats that took part in the Route du Rhum in November.

Technological innovation on board racing boats

Every sailor knows that they can rely on instruments, materials, and sensors of the highest quality, which help and accompany them when they are in the open sea.

The unmissable charm of the RORC Caribbean 600

A zigzag between the islands, from Antigua to Guadeloupe and back, driven by the trade winds, the regatta at the end of February is another fundamental test for Ambrogio Beccaria.

Alla Grande Pirelli: Sensitivity and intuition - Human technology

Technological tools are essential, but it is always man who makes the difference. Even in the middle of the ocean. Ambrogio Beccaria, who came second in the Route du Rhum in Class40, explains.

I sail alone. What competing on the high seas means to Ambrogio Beccaria

Beccaria's and Pirelli's desire for challenge and knowledge has chosen to embrace his solo experience.

Partners on the water: how Pirelli is supporting Ambrogio Beccaria's ocean racing

It's a challenge that pushes enthusiasts beyond their limits, out of their comfort zone and beyond. It is the essence, which is well matched with Pirelli, enclosed in the enterprises of Ambrogio Beccaria.

Everything you need to know about solo regattas

What is the story of the most adrenaline-fuelled sailing at the helm of a sailing boat? And who started it all?

How the Alla Grande Pirelli is taking “Made in Italy” around the world

A Vitruvian-man-style boat, built around the yachtsman with a strong focus on the surrounding nature.

The Class40 boat with which Ambrogio Beccaria will cross the Atlantic Alla Grande Pirelli is ready to sail

Full of special details that make it unique and special, it is customised to the sailing style of the skipper, who oversaw its design and construction.