Vincenzo Balestrieri

[old377guy]

Paul, what a refreshing account of this great sportsman - thank you.

[Anchored]

I thought Cohete was his Levi designed yacht? Surely he wasn't racing that.

Jeff

[Bobcat]

Finally got a chance to read it. Good story and some great pictures.

[Ratickle]

I thought Cohete was his Levi designed yacht? Surely he wasn't racing that.

Jeff

Take a look at the pics. I just got the correct ones in the story, (sorry), we had an issue with the system links.

I do not know if there was more than the one yacht with the same name. I'll find out though.

[Bobcat]

Just finished part II. Awesome story and vintage photo's! Well done Sir !

[Ratickle]

So, where do you guys think he belongs?????

http://www.seriousoffshore.com/forum...top-100-a.html

[Ratickle]

I thought Cohete was his Levi designed yacht? Surely he wasn't racing that.

Jeff

Well, I received the beginning of your answer. We're still digging....

"Yes, there were 2 Cohetes. By the way, Cohete is the spanish for "Rocket". I believe both were extremely fast given their size and the fact that they were cabin cruisers, not race boats. I don't know much more about these boats. Remember, I was quite young at the time and didn't spend any time trekking around the world with my dad." Alex Balestrieri

I'm trying to find out everything I can to help the history and the family. The more I dig into it, the more I find how much he helped to shape the sport. Especially for the Europeans in becoming World competitors.

[old377guy]

So, where do you guys think he belongs?????

http://www.seriousoffshore.com/forum...top-100-a.html

certainly in the top 20

[Bobcat]

[T2x]

So, where do you guys think he belongs?????

http://www.seriousoffshore.com/forum...top-100-a.html

Are you including throttlemen? If so, here are 30+ legitimate "top 10" candidates in no particular order.....

Bobby Moore, Bill Sirois, Steve Curtis, Odell Lewis, Johnny Bakos, William "Smitty" Smith, Fabio Buzzi, Errol Lanier, Bob Idoni, Knocky House, Don Aronow, Bobby Saccenti, John Connor, Willie Diaz, Gus Falcon, Richie Powers, Reggie Fountain, Tom Gentry, Al Copeland, Tom Akoury, Pete Aitkin, Billy Don Pruett, Mark Lavin, Chris Lavin, Jerry Gilbreath, Alan Brown, Bill Wishnick, Joe Imprescia, Jack Studteville, Bob Kaiser, Sam Griffith, Betty Cook, Felix Serralles......

[Ratickle]

Well, there can only be 10 Top 10's....

Everybody in Offshore has a shot at it. My reasoning, when I go through the potential candidates, (review some here);

http://www.seriousoffshore.com/forum...top-100-a.html

Anyway, my reasoning is they have to be "Most Influential". So, someone like Vincenzo makes the list because he was not only a great racer, one of 4 with multiple world championships when points were awarded around the world, but he also influenced the entire sport with his participation. The European races became much more popular because of him, boat builders pretended he was their developement guy for their designs, he made worldwide news with his antics and "Gentlemen's" ideals coming before his own personal goals, etc.

I do not believe anyone could make the Top 10 of the Top 100 only doing one thing. I believe they need to be a boon to the sport in more than one category to be considered. ie; Don Aronow, Reggie Fountain, Red Crise, Dick Bertram, etc.

On your list, guys I would consider as possibilities would be;

Fabio Buzzi, Don Aronow has been elected as Number 1, Bobby Saccenti, Reggie Fountain, Tom Gentry, Bill Wishnick, and maybe a couple more. But, it's not up to me of course, it's up to the members. I do not know everyone on your list, and maybe some of them have excelled in areas where I know nothing of their accomplishments.

Offshore categories I consider; Racing, Building, Designing, Promoting, and Organizing

So, Vincenzo makes my Top 10 by virtue of;
Racing, 2 World Championships, 1 second place finish, and 3 third place finishes when you had to race all over the World to do it.
Building, None
Designing, None
Promoting, Made the sport more well known all over the word, especially Europe during its main growth. Made the European racers household names in US offshore circles. Took a young guy like Lance and assisted with his career growth.
Organizing, Assisted with several of the European races to bring them to the forefront as major events.

Not to butter you up or anything, but; You have a shot a really high spot because of your racing accomplishments. Your design work with the Shadow Cat. Your assistance to the safety of the sport with the Lavin Guidelines and canopy improvement. Your promotion of the sport through NNRT and Daryl. And your continued input for the betterment of the sport with safety and review. Heck, maybe you should be Number 1????

[Anchored]

Well, I received the beginning of your answer. We're still digging....

"Yes, there were 2 Cohetes. By the way, Cohete is the spanish for "Rocket". I believe both were extremely fast given their size and the fact that they were cabin cruisers, not race boats. I don't know much more about these boats. Remember, I was quite young at the time and didn't spend any time trekking around the world with my dad." Alex Balestrieri

I'm trying to find out everything I can to help the history and the family. The more I dig into it, the more I find how much he helped to shape the sport. Especially for the Europeans in becoming World competitors.

Here is what I was thinking,

Price reduction on superyacht Cohete at Ocean Independence

And I really enjoy Rich's work with NNRT. Great videos!

Jeff

[OneBadInjun]

Not to butter you up or anything, but; You have a shot a really high spot because of your racing accomplishments.

I had no idea of this. Can you tell us about your racing accomplishments TX2? Mostly the offshore stuff. Throttleman, driver, owner of which boat(s), races won, etc.? Don't hold back on us...you rascal, lol.

[Ratickle]

I had no idea of this. Can you tell us about your racing accomplishments TX2? Mostly the offshore stuff. Throttleman, driver, owner of which boat(s), races won, etc.? Don't hold back on us...you rascal, lol.

Are you pulling my leg? Or are you serious? There is a very good reason we approached him about being one of our Icons. Believe me when I say we do not take that moniker lightly.

Rich will not blow his own horn though, so when the time comes, it will most likely be the rest of us who will do it for him.

[OneBadInjun]

Of course I'm serious, thats why I come to this site! lol If T2x does not want to post his personal offshore race boats that he owned/throttled/raced/won in, etc...It would be great if you would please tell us, for him. Would it have been Open Class, or Modified, or SuperBoat, or? Were Vencenzo/T2x a race team? thanx

[OneBadInjun]

TTT

[OneBadInjun]

Great discussion thread...

[old377guy]

indeed

[OneBadInjun]

Offshore categories I consider; Racing, Building, Designing, Promoting, and Organizing

So, Vincenzo makes my Top 10 by virtue of;
Racing, 2 World Championships, 1 second place finish, and 3 third place finishes when you had to race all over the World to do it.
Promoting, Made the sport more well known all over the word, especially Europe during its main growth. Made the European racers household names in US offshore circles. Took a young guy like Lance and assisted with his career growth.
Organizing, Assisted with several of the European races to bring them to the forefront as major events.

X 2...Well said.

[OneBadInjun]

Was told Mr Luhrs posted a response/input on here today, then later deleted it. Second thoughts I guess. We need his vast expertise on Vincenzo. What was his relationship with Mr. Hagerty, Francisco & The Black Tornado Race Team in Florida? Vincenzo is definately at the top of the list!