Paul, what a refreshing account of this great sportsman - thank you.
Thread: Vincenzo Balestrieri
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05-24-2012 11:59 AMPeople we meet in life are either a Blessing or a Lesson
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05-24-2012 01:00 PM
I thought Cohete was his Levi designed yacht? Surely he wasn't racing that.
Jeff
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05-25-2012 09:05 AM
Finally got a chance to read it. Good story and some great pictures.
Parabellum FJ²B
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05-25-2012 09:13 AMGetting bad advice is unfortunate, taking bad advice is a Serious matter!!
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06-04-2012 04:42 PM
Just finished part II. Awesome story and vintage photo's! Well done Sir !
Parabellum FJ²B
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06-04-2012 05:46 PMSo, where do you guys think he belongs?????
http://www.seriousoffshore.com/forum...top-100-a.htmlGetting bad advice is unfortunate, taking bad advice is a Serious matter!!
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06-05-2012 10:47 AMWell, 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.Getting bad advice is unfortunate, taking bad advice is a Serious matter!!
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06-05-2012 03:59 PMParabellum FJ²B
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06-05-2012 05:09 PM
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......Allergic to Nonsense
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06-06-2012 08:19 AMWell, 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????Getting bad advice is unfortunate, taking bad advice is a Serious matter!!
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06-06-2012 12:18 PM
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
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06-06-2012 12:32 PMLast edited by OneBadInjun; 06-06-2012 at 12:44 PM.
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06-06-2012 05:43 PMAre 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.Getting bad advice is unfortunate, taking bad advice is a Serious matter!!
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07-17-2012 04:59 PMOf 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
Last edited by OneBadInjun; 07-17-2012 at 05:17 PM.
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02-26-2013 01:36 PM
indeed
People we meet in life are either a Blessing or a Lesson
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- Join Date
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03-18-2013 05:45 PMWas 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!
Last edited by OneBadInjun; 03-18-2013 at 05:54 PM.