EDITION 2023
OUT OF THE ORDINARY. INTO THE ADVENTURE.
A new format that of the second edition of IL GIRO DEI VENTI held from May 27 to June 3, 2023 between Salento and Greece.
IL GIRO DEI VENTI has enriched its formula with. exclusive and immersive experiences, where the sports dimension has become not only an opportunity to make new friendships, but also that of discovering landscapes, traditions and enhancement of territories through an emotional journey, immersed in the colors, flavors, history and culture of Salento and Greece.
A journey that combined the joy of exploration with a passion for sports, the enthusiasm of challenging oneself with the value of sharing and collaboration through teamwork.
A SPORTS AND WELLNESS VACATION
BETWEEN DISCOVERIES AND PASSIONS
BETWEEN CYCLING AND SAILING, TOGETHER WITH CHAMPIONS
This second edition of IL GIRO DEI VENTI pitted teams, formed by lottery, consisting of two sailors and two cyclists against each other in a true week-long sports and wellness vacation. Over the course of the three cycling stages, participants faced a timed section of different lengths for each stage, which was crucial in awarding points for the final ranking. The first leg, Leuca-Otranto-Leuca, traveled along the coastline overlooking the rocky ridge of the Adriatic Sea. The second stop in Corfu allowed participants to see the sunrise over the sea on one side and move inland to a verdant area with small quaint villages perched on the mountainside on the other. Finally, the third stage, Leuca-Gallipoli-Leuca, offered an evocative coastal stretch among the scents and colors of Mediterranean vegetation and the sea. Two big names from the world of cycling were present during the cycling stages: Riccardo Magrini, testimonial of the cycling section IL GIRO DEI VENTI, and world road champion Gianni Bugno, who pedaled (out of the race), along with the participants.
Two sailings instead. The first was held in Corfu where the boats skirted the beautiful Greek coast, from Gouvia Marina with arrival at the Trombillo of the Tignoso shoal, for a total of about 12 miles and maximum wind at 8 knots. The second sail, on the other hand, took place offshore, starting and finishing in the waters off the port of Leuca, for a length of about 9 miles characterized by discontinuous winds between 6 and 4 knots.
The participants were constantly followed with great attention by Dr. Pietro Mazzarotto and his staff, both during the bike rides and the sailing rides. The presence of medical personnel was essential to ensure the safety and well-being of participants along the entire route.
During the event, Spin Hub ‘s team of professionals also deployed their expertise to give athletes the opportunity to benefit from massage therapy treatments designed to promote myofascial relaxation and muscle decontracting after athletic performance. These treatments were combined, when necessary, with the use of Tecar Therapy, an instrumental support.
The main goal of these treatments was to promote faster recovery from muscle fatigue and to prevent possible injuries during the event. Participants, even those less prepared or trained, were able to benefit from such treatments to continue in the event without experiencing physical problems.
UNIQUE AND UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURES
The sports moments were alternated with exciting opportunities to discover the area, such as the glamping under the stars in the picturesque setting of unspoiled nature of the Agriturismo Grotta Dei Cervi in Porto Badisco, the trekking in Porto Badisco, the discovery of the Frantoio Ipogeo in Castrì, a visit to the city of Lecce to admire its beauty, and a gulet trip to Greece, followed by a visit to the city of Corfu. All the experiences were designed with a view to enhancing the territories that hosted the event, offering routes outside the classic tourist routes.
Participants also had the opportunity to attend a briefing on the importance of breath awareness with world freediving champion Umberto Pelizzari and Olympian Roberto Ferrarese, also head of the sailing section IL GIRO DEI VENTI. The two champions gave participants the Blue Therapy experience, which included a dinghy ride and a safe dive to discover the thrills of being without oxygen in the deep sea.
VENTI DI PASSIONE TRADITION AND CURRENT EVENTS DANCE TOGETHER ON AWARDS NIGHT
The conclusion of the event was celebrated with a music and dance show that enlivened the streets of the town of Spongano with a traditional Salento procession and featured more than 100 dancers performing on stage alongside actors and musicians. Organized by Muse Milano under the artistic direction of Samanta Demontis, Venti di passione. alternated onstage moments of music and dance with moments of pure storytelling, a true homage to Greek and Salento traditions, which began with Virgil’s verses recounting the myth of Aeneas and his landing, after a long journey across the Mediterranean, on the coast of Salento to a touching topical issue, the climate emergency and environmental protection.
The protection of nature and our planet Earth is a highly relevant and topical issue that affects each of us directly. Venti di passione represents the evolution of a path toward a new rebirth of human beings, with the goal of living in harmony with nature and all other living things.
At the end of the show, the sports journalist Giovanni Bruno called to the stage some different personalities who played an active role in the realization of the event, including Antonio Marano, president of IL GIRO DEI VENTI, the Cavaliere Sergio Filograna, founder of Workness and creator of IL GIRO DEI VENTI, heads of the organizing committee, mayors of the municipalities involved, partners and sponsors who contributed in the realization of IL GIRO DEI VENTI, through their support. Next, the names of the top three ranked teams were revealed. On the top step of the podium was the team sponsored by the Carofalo company, consisting of cyclists Andrea Ragusa and Andrea Rizzo and sailors Giuseppe Liturri and Mario Pedone. They were presented with the trophy of Il GIRO DEI VENTI, a real work of art by renowned Neapolitan artist Christian Leperino. The work depicts a hand clutching an olive branch and is dedicated to human mental and physical well-being, which is expressed through work, sports and nutrition. In addition to the trophy, each of the four winners received as a prize a seven-day vacation at Palazzo Maresgallo (Lecce), a historic five-star location nestled in the heart of Salento. At second place, winning a seven-day vacation at Naturalis Bio Resort, an elegant five-star abode nestled in more than 18 hectares of nature in Martano (Lecce), ranked the crew sponsored by the company Scardino constructions, consisting of cyclists Ales Fucak and Luka Eskinja and sailors Luca Salami and Paolo Santamaria. The Third place was won instead by the team sponsored by the city of Santa Maria di Leuca, composed of the cyclists Antonio Gallucci and Alessandro De Grande and sailors Ines Montefusco and Massimo Cioffi. Their prize, a seven-day vacation at Tenuta Centoporte, a four-star resort on the Salento coast in Otranto, Lecce.
The evening ended with a Closing party at Palazzo Filograna, in Spongano, future home of Workness.
I BAMBINI DEL GIRO
Not only adults this year at IL GIRO DEI VENTI, but also a day entirely dedicated to the little ones with the event “I bambini del GIRO” in Santa Maria di Leuca. With the support of the Italian Naval League and the Lecce Provincial Committee of the Italian Cycling Federation, more than 120 children between the ages of 5 and 12 competed in a scratch race (track cycling race), a small regatta and a real match race.
To entertain, raise awareness toward the importance of sports, and get children excited about it as well. This is one of our goals.
#LOTTOPERILFUTURO, STARTING TODAY
IL GIRO DEI VENTI confirmed its commitment to the enhancement of the territory, particularly that of Salento, and made it concrete in this edition with the #LottoPerIlFuturo campaign. This project aims to invest in the reconstruction of olive plantations devastated by Xylella, in order to leave future generations a better environment in which to grow and a landscape worthy of the Salento tradition. In addition, the project supports the Division of Pediatric Oncohematology at Vito Fazzi Hospital in Lecce. As part of this initiative, IL GIARDINO DEL FUTURO was inaugurated in Carpignano Salentino (Lecce) in collaboration with OlivaMi, an association in the area that promotes a new form of sustainable and participatory olive growing. The garden hosted the planting of the first 250 olive trees by participants in the sports competition.
Also within this campaign is the sale ofOro del Salento, an oil produced by OlivaMi’s olive groves in 5-liter cans: for every 10 liters sold, 10 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Lecce Hospital.
In addition, in collaboration with the Città del Sole store, a number of toys were purchased during the final evening of IL GIRO DEI VENTI and donated to brighten the stay of children in the Pediatric Oncohematology Department, while 10 percent of the proceeds were donated directly to the hospital.
THE “SPORTNESS” PROJECT – OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS
Special attention was given to the younger generation through the second edition of the Sportness – Outdoor classrooms. This theoretical and practical training course, launched in 2022, aims to sensitize young people toward a new awareness of themselves and their local area, promoting healthy interests and correct habits in line with their potential and expectations. The course involved 7 institutes in the provinces of Lecce, Brindisi and Taranto, and to seal the educational experience of this year’s edition, 10 guys, selected from the most outstanding, had the opportunity to participate out of competition in all the event activities, board the boat provided by the Circolo velico Lucano and the University of Salento, and join the participants during the entire IL GIRO DEI VENTI event.
IL FUORI GIRO
Location of the sponsor village and events of the IL FUORI GIRO, was the Leuca Naval League Headquarters, which came alive with two evenings of concerts: with the Bedixie Dixieland Jass Band, who after a touring parade through the streets of Santa Maria enchanted the audience with their Dixieland style of 1920s New Orleans, and with Tullio De Piscopo. De Piscopo, together with the extraordinary participation of Raffaele Casarano, gave an evening of expression of great Mediterranean passion, also playing some very successful notes, dedicated to his brother in Blues, Pino Daniele.
The FUORI GIRO also included a free training event with:
CAREGIVING 4.0, new approaches for technologically advanced care. The training moment, whose focus was on looking at innovation and the future of healthcare, was open to professionals and students.
