From October 25 to 27, 2024 the Italian Endurance World Championship returns to Como in the 75 edition of the Centomiglia del Lario. The historic race has been held on Lake Como since 1949 and it is one of the most important events in Lake Como.
The circuit race will take place in the so-called first part of Lake Como (primo bacino) between the cities of Como, Cernobbio, and Blevio.
Technical checks will be held on Friday and Saturday (October 25 and 26), the third and final race will be held on Sunday, October 27, from 14:00.
The year 1949 was pivotal for M.I.La. and Italian powerboating. In the aftermath of World War II, Italy struggled to regain its footing, and even the iconic Pavia-Venezia race, established in 1929 and renowned worldwide as the most extended and most demanding endurance race, couldn’t restart after its last edition in 1939.
It was then that Motonautica Italiana Lario stepped in, three years before the revival of Pavia-Venezia in 1952. In June 1949, Sandro de Col, while in Pavia to accompany his pilots for a race on the Ticino circuit, heard about plans to reinstate Pavia-Venezia. The fantastic idea struck him that Como, too, could have its nautical marathon. He immediately discussed it with councillors Aldo Ayala and Tito Pistarini. The enthusiasm was too strong to let go, and the three musketeers forged ahead. De Col scoured for funds while Ayala and Pistarini meticulously planned the route and drafted the regulations. Only those present that day in June could truly describe the scene when Sandro De Col arrived breathlessly at headquarters, waving a check for one million from the Banca Commerciale Italiana. A fellow powerboat enthusiast had solved the financial hurdle, the only one able to provide such a substantial contribution at the time: Remo Cademartori, who had recently taken over the esteemed Taroni shipyard in Carate Urio. With that million, the Centomiglia could become a reality.
The Centomiglia del Lario was born as an endurance race for inboard tourism boats, showcasing the local shipyards as they resumed production. The first edition saw 34 participants, of which 26 reached the finish line. Mario Marzorati clinched the overall victory with a Taroni hull powered by a 5000 cc Gray Marine engine at an average speed of 66.022 km/h. Fortunato Paoletti won in the inboard tourism up to 2228 cc category.
The Centomiglia had firmly established itself in powerboating history, becoming an unmissable event. However, in 1951, the complete circuit around the lake was deemed too extensive for competitors and spectators. The course was shortened from Como to Isola Comacina. Outboard boats were also allowed, requiring two laps compared to the three mandated for inboards. Forty started, and twenty finished. Carlo Somaini again took the overall victory, while Angelo Molinari won in the inboard category with a boat built in the shipyard near the Sinigaglia Stadium, powered by a Mercury engine.
The 1960s witnessed a surge in participants. The 1962 edition saw over 100 boats (121 started and 96 finished); in 1967, a staggering 130 took part. The early 70s saw the dominance of racing outboard motors, the famous ON 2000, with Renato Molinari and Cesarino Scotti. The race returned to in-board with Tullio Abbate (the pilot with the most victories: 11) and Giuseppe Todeschini. In 1977, the course was shortened from Como to Germanello Point in Laglio for eight laps.
In 2005, a new, shorter but more spectacular Centomiglia route was inaugurated from Como to Faggeto Lario. In 2009, for the 60th edition of the Centomiglia del Lario, the UIM awarded the Yacht Club Como the Group B Endurance World Championship, to be contested in three races, covering Como, Blevio, Cernobbio, and Como.
The information provided in this article is sourced from Centomiglia del Lario Official website.
Start: October 25, 2024 End: October 27, 2024
Place: Aero Club Como and Villa Olmo Italy
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