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Riva Yacht Trophy History of waves and heritage BY VIRGINIA RICCI | PHOTO BY FRANCESCO RASTRELLI - ROBERTA ROCCATI
When Matisse arrived in French Riviera he said: "When I realised that each morning I would see this light again, I could not believe my luck". Hangout for intellectuals and aesthetes, chosen by high society, from the Twentieth century Côte d’Azur has maintained its magnetizing charm. In a sunny weekend of September, it became the background of a painting: that of the last edition of Classic Riva Trophy, 2014. Not only a painting, a triptych if we consider owners from Brazil, Japan and Europe who came here and gathered in the amazing atmosphere of Saint Tropez. Lia Riva, heir of Carlo Riva - who turned this Italian shipyard into a real symbol of great Made in Italy, welcomed all the guests. The most famous models left for Cannes with a happy spirit of competition: Super Ariston, Iseo, Aquarama, Aquariva,
Rivarama, Rivale, 63 Virtus, 86 Domino, 92 Duchessa... more than 20 units challenged in different races in order to reach the Riva Cannes Boat Service, in view of a delicious surprise. But after these efforts, not the usual lunch: a rich aperitif with Italian delicacies tasted on board by looking Îles de Lérins. Then, ahead to Saint Tropez, destination so beloved by international actors and celebs, like Brigitte Bardot who, in these waters, paid homage to Riva yachts during the Sixties. The French charm was combined to South American rhythm with the Brazilian Night: traditional food and drinks, music and dancers. Then, everybody came back to that Saint Tropez protagonist of magazines’ covers and celebrated on the big screen. After the brunch of the following day, it took place a contest of elegance where
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LIA RIVA, PRESIDENT OF MONACO BOAT SERVICE.
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boats brought the spectators back to Monte Carlo. The logbook of these two days made of sport and entertainment continued at the Yacht Club de Monaco for an award ceremony which celebrated the Japanese crew and their Aqua di Gioia (an Ariston 1968 model), at the top floor of a terrace with a Rivastyled lounge bar. Listening to Madame Lia’s words,
through her important memories (like the charm of Sophia Loren and Ingrid Bergman, motorboats in the desert, the history of the real Riva’s debut in American jet-set) it was easy to understand how this yacht, in the waters of heritage, will always find its right direction. www.riva-yacht.com
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