Ghedina will greet his beloved Cortina for a few days to run with a “sacred monster” of this sport: “The goal is victory”
Gianluca De Rosa CORTINA
Ghedo’s latest challenge: from skis to offshore powerboating, at full speed towards another victory. Kristian Ghedina greets his beloved Cortina d’Ampezzo and, waiting for an Olympic call, dives into a new adrenaline-fueled adventure. He will be co-pilot of a 5000 class boat alongside the “sacred monster” Giampaolo Montavoci, 62-year-old Venetian professional and winner of a P1 world category as well as president of the Venice motorboat association.
As a mountain man, how did the love for the sea and in particular for speed on the sea born?
«The passion for speed is part of me. I’ve always had a particular fondness for everything that produces adrenaline. It was like this for skiing, it continued with motor racing, it will be like this also in offshore powerboating which promises to be an absolute novelty in my life. As for the sea, I must say that as a mountain man I consider it above all synonymous with vacation. If I think of the sea, I think of a vacation even if the experience I am about to live alongside Montavoci will be anything but a vacation ».
How did you meet Giampaolo Montavoci?
“I met Giampaolo on the occasion of the 69th edition of Pavia-Venice in which I too took part, in a crew alongside Gianmaria Gabbiani (car driver, son of former Formula 1 driver Beppe Gabbiani, ed). We raced on a dinghy that went at 90 kilometers per hour. On that occasion, during the awards ceremony, Montavoci stopped me. During the chat, the possibility of doing something together emerged ».
Love at first sight?
«When he asked me to race with him, I didn’t think twice and I answered ‘yes’. Giampaolo is an institution of motor boating, he has won everything. It makes me happy and at the same time proud that he thought of me ».
Which sponsors have allowed you to embark on this expensive adventure?
«Only Giampaolo can answer this question, I know very little from a logistical and organizational point of view. I was asked to compete and I accepted with enthusiasm. For me it is a new experience, then obviously I will have to fit it with other professional commitments. I look forward to the chance to try the boat, I know they are putting it to perfection. Offshore powerboating is a very expensive sport, a detail that gives further credit to what Giampaolo Montavoci has done and is doing for the entire movement ».
Are the boat and its engine competitive?
«I don’t know her yet, I will rely on Giampaolo to learn even the most basic things. With Giampaolo we limited ourselves to homework, waiting to get on board. He will put the experience in addition of course to the extraordinary knowledge of the sector, I will put the courage into it. I will learn quickly ».
Skiing, motor boating and motor racing (which you have practiced for 5 years): what are the differences?
«More than differences, I would like to say what the similarities are. They are sports that have many things in common, first and foremost speed. Perhaps the difference lies in the fact that in skiing compared to motorboating and motoring the force of gravity is concentrated on the legs with respect to the hull as regards motorboating and tires for the cars ».
Are you two “crazy” then, can the Ghedina-Montavoci couple give everyone a hard time?
“The declared goal is victory”. –