Domenico Mordini

Domenico Mordini was an Italian sailor who came from a working-class background, unlike other sailors of the day, who had Naval backgrounds. After many years sailing various craft, Mordini, nicknamed “U Menegu” by fellow sailors, was chosen for the 1936 Olympics following pressure from the Facist Party who wanted a “son of the Italian people” competing in the sailing events at the Games. Not only did he compete, but as a member of the crew aboard Italia, he helped Italy win the 8-metre gold medal.

Italia was built at the Attilio Costaguta shipyard at Genova Voltri and was launched only a couple of months before the Olympics. She was taken by train to Germany, and immediately impressed on the Kiel waters, particularly in medium-strong winds.

At the Olympics, the Swedes were the early leaders but, by the time it came to the seventh and final race, Italy led the Norwegians by just one point and they held them off in the final race to take gold medal. However, the race was probably decided in race five after a series of protests following many collisions. The eventual placings were not resolved until all races had been completed when the jury then consulted with the German film director Leni Riefenstahl who was making an official film of the Olympics from an airship above the regatta. The victory for the Italians was confirmed and uniquely it meant they had won with an Italian crew in a boat designed and built in Italy.

After surviving the allied bombings of Genova during World War II, Italia became the property of the publisher Angelo Rizzoli and survived the tragic earthquake of Irpinia in 1980. In 2004 Italia received recognition of national historical heritage, a unique honour for a racing boat. She continued to sail the waters of the Gulf of Napoli while being moored at Molosiglio in the nautical base of the Naval League.