Boat International – June 2017

http://www.boatinternational.com | June 2017

NEWS ON BOARD

PHOTOGRAPHS: GETTY IMAGES; SPLASH NEWS; GUILLAUME PLISSON

The passing of Carlo Riva, one of

the yachting world’s most renowned

entrepreneurs, has sparked a flurry

of tributes from the industry. Alberto

Galassi, chief executive officer at Riva’s

parent company Ferretti Group, led the

eulogies, saying: “The world has lost a

brilliant creator of boats, a master of

style, [and] a giant in Italy’s industrial and

business history.”

Born in Sarnico on 24 February 1922,

Carlo built his first boat at the age of 17.

Ten years later he followed in the footsteps

of his father Serafino, his grandfather

Ernesto and his great-grandfather Pietro

by taking over the family business. He

went on to lead an already successful

company into a golden era.

One of the earliest examples of a

Carlo Riva-era speedboat was the Riva

Ariston. He described it as “strong and

pure, like a thoroughbred horse”. Famous

models such as the Florida, Tritone and

Sebino were also launched under his

tenure, culminating with the 1962 Milan

International Boat Show debut of the

Riva Aquarama, considered one

of the true icons of yachting and

synonymous with the elegance and

glamour of celebrity owners such

as Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren

and Peter Sellers. Carlo also led the

construction of the first fibreglass

boat in 1969 before leaving the

company in the early 1970s.

Now part of the Ferretti Group,

Riva encompasses everything from

the sporty 8m Riva Iseo tenders to 50m

steel and aluminium superyachts.

His values and ideas still influence the

company today, as Galassi added: “Carlo

Riva’s boats will always be a source of

inspiration to all of us who feel a strong

sense of responsibility for taking this

leading brand forward into the future.

Farewell Mr Riva, and enjoy the sea in

your last voyage towards the horizon.”

riva-yacht.com

Celebrating the

work of Carlo Riva

Left: George

Clooney helms a

Riva on Lake Como.

Below: Brigitte

Bardot and husband

Gunter Sachs. Far

left: the Aquarama,

top, and the Tritone

Rivas have carried

stars like Claudia

Cardinale, below

Carlo Riva introduced

many of his company’s

classic speedboats

Few things say style quite like a Riva speedboat.

Chris Jefferies charts the end of a yachting era

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