25 June 2026 - Written by Johnny Luk
On Friday, 5 June, I woke up at 3 am to embark on a journey I had been looking forward to for months. Aside from wanting to escape the rainy weather of the UK, I was about to witness a weekend of epic racing at the final leg of the Filippi Lido Trophy, with top athletes converging on Marina di Castagneto, a picturesque village on the Tuscan coast of Italy. We would also be a stone's throw away from the manufacturing headquarters of the rowing boat juggernaut, Filippi Boats.
After an early taxi, followed by a quick flight and excellent train connections from Pisa to the town of Donoratico, I was collected by the larger-than-life Raimondo Bongini. Having spent decades working for Filippi, his enthusiasm was infectious as we raced down roads lined with the flags of participating nations.
This coastal rowing event was clearly a major occasion. Everywhere I turned, I saw rowing posters in local shops and train stations. Even the President of Tuscany, Eugenio Giani, flanked by his security team, attended in person, greeting David Filippi, son of the company's founder, like an old friend.
The beach had the air of a festival. As I walked through the venue, I saw young volunteers and supporters speaking many different languages while mingling with Olympians. Meanwhile, scores of coaches, technicians, lifeguards and representatives from the Italian Rowing Federation worked energetically to ensure a smooth competition. I was in awe of the meticulous attention to detail, including one volunteer dedicated to carefully brushing and cleaning the red finish button, and judges instructing through megaphones to boat handles to ensure precise boat alignment.
Alongside the international athletes, organisers were also juggling a dual competition structure featuring the National Club Circuit, now in its fifth edition, and the International Circuit, which was being held for only the second time. The latter saw athletes collecting points at each regatta in pursuit of overall honours and a share of a €20,000 prize fund. The domestic circuit really benefited from the same access to elite equipment and organisation, and will no doubt act as a major feeder pathway for future Italian crews.
Marina di Castagneto was the culmination of a four stage series that began in Mondello in March, continued in Lido di Fano in April and Bacoli, Naples, in May, before reaching its conclusion here. The stakes were high and the anticipation even higher.
Despite the excitement, there was one slight challenge to contend with: the wind. Unusually strong gusts whipped up sizeable waves, prompting officials, who take safety as their top priority, to reluctantly postpone racing until the following day. Filippi organisers efficiently rescheduled hundreds of athletes. A DJ pumping out a lively soundtrack and an active beach volleyball court helped keep the mood upbeat.
We took full advantage of the delay, with Raimondo giving me a tour of the manufacturing units where the magic of Filippi construction takes place. Racks of pristinely designed white hulls, incorporating the latest carbon fibre technology, made the facility feel more like a spacecraft factory or a Formula 1 testing centre. My eyes widened as I witnessed true Italian craftsmanship. One worker, who described Filippi as a family, was carefully making microscopic adjustments to the edge of a boat. Despite the company's scale in producing elite boats, each one felt like a handcrafted luxury item shaped with equal measures of science and human love.
As we entered Saturday, after a brief aborted start caused by stubborn winds, racing finally got under way following stringent safety assessments and an amended schedule. The beach sprang into life as crowds cheered, music boomed and sun and sea drenched athletes sprinted from the start line towards their waiting boats.
Many categories began with time trials before progressing to gladiator-like duels. Boat handlers and umpires marshalled a constant flow of rowers, launching them into the glistening sea where they rowed furiously towards the turning buoy. After rounding the marker, athletes battled back to shore for the dramatic running finish that has become a hallmark of Beach Sprint rowing. Throughout, camera drones tracked the action overhead, delivering sublime coverage both to a giant screen on the beach and to viewers on the YouTube livestream.
As a spectator more accustomed to flatwater rowing, I was blown away by the atmosphere. I could see the entire course and the added challenge of jumping into a boat that’s bouncing on the waves brought a completely different and excitable dimension to the sport.
Filippi, mindful of its importance for the region, also complemented the rowing with a rich programme of local engagement activities.
This included a local design competition with lots of teenagers that led to the creation of its charming turtle mascot, which has quickly become a popular face of the competition. The organisers also hosted lively foam parties for children and parents alike.
After a furious weekend of racing, points were tallied and overall winners crowned.
Highlights included Austria's Magdalena Lobnig securing the overall Women's Solo title. Great Britain's Laura McKenzie finished second overall after winning the final leg in Marina di Castagneto, while China's Wenjie Zhu claimed third as part of a sizeable Chinese contingent.
The Germans secured a one two finish in the Men's Solo standings, with Franz Werner taking overall victory ahead of Moritz Wolff. Italy's Lucio Fugazzotto completed the podium. In the Mixed Double Sculls, Lithuania dominated, with Raminta Morkunaite and Zygimantas Galisanskis claiming the overall title. Their compatriots Martyna Kazlauskaitė and Dominykas Jančionis finished third, separated by Italy's Federico Ceccarino and Federica Cesarini in second.
The PR3 Mixed Double Sculls was won by the USA's Elise Hill and Romeo Mednis.
Youth rowing was also well represented, illustrated by the presence of Mamadou Diallo, manager of the upcoming Youth Olympic Games to be held in Dakar, Senegal, this November. Italy's Carlotta Savona won the Women's Solo event, while Czechia's Lukas Krizek took victory in the Men's Solo. China claimed both first and second place in the Mixed Double Sculls through the crews of Zhao Xu and Liu Lili, and Su Juntao and Li Lele, with Austria's Alexander Rittenbacher and Elena Schalk taking bronze. In the National Club Circuit, Rowing Club Peloro emerged as champions for the third consecutive year.
Speaking to the many Filippi staff members present, there was a clear sense of pride in what had been achieved, with over 300 athletes from 30 nations represented, up from 17 nations the previous year and spanning five continents.
David Filippi, owner of Filippi Boats, said: "We invested significantly in the event, including the provision of 32 fully equipped boats, and we were rewarded with an exceptionally high level of competition. Equally encouraging, several teams have already decided to return here for training camps in the coming months, with opportunities also being discussed for 2027."
With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games set to feature Beach Sprint rowing for the first time, elite level competitions are becoming essential proving grounds for aspiring Olympians. Through its four stage series, the Filippi Lido Trophy has firmly established itself as one of the key fixtures on the international coastal rowing calendar. I came away with little doubt that the event will continue to grow from strength to strength, and that Filippi's significant investment in Beach Sprint rowing will prove a wise one as this new Olympic discipline continues to rise in popularity.
By Johnny Luk
