Bruno Petronio

Bruno Petronio was an Italian sailor who started racing competitively with the Naval Academy of Livorno, specialising in the Flying Dutchman class. In July 1961 he was part of the crew of Corsaro II commanded by Agostino Straulino that finished sixth in the Transpacific Yacht Race, the 22nd Honolulu Race. This experience helped Petronio considerably, and he teamed up with Straulino in the Star class in 1962, before switching to the 5.5 metre class the following year. The pair went on to finish fourth at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Along with Massimo Minervini they won the 1964 World Championship at Napoli.

Petronio later became a naval officer and, despite missing out on selection for the 1968 Olympics, he did win the Beniscelli Cup and was runner-up in the Italian 5.5 Metre Championship. After that he dedicated himself to offshore racing and in 1971 won the Plymouth – Tenerife race. He ended his naval career as commander of the rescue ship Proteo. In honour of his sporting achievements, Petronio was awarded a gold medal by the Italian Olympic Committee.