All aboard the Alla Grande-Pirelli!

Laval, Quebec – Still basking in glory after his triumphant run in The Transat CIC race, Ambrogio Beccaria sailed his Class40 category winning vessel into the harbour at Quebec City, where some lucky guests of ours were brought onboard the Alla Grande-Pirelli for a guided tour last June 18th. MAPEI being a Global Sponsor, it was our distinct pleasure to share this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

In all, four groups were able to climb aboard and enjoy a brief excursion, sailing on the mighty St. Lawrence River. MAPEI Inc. General Manager Marco Roma and guests even got a chance to try their hand at maneuvering the ship – under the careful supervision of Beccaria and two of his shipmates, Bastian Ogen and Pavel Roubal.

“To be able to spend some time sailing aboard the Alla Grande-Pirelli and learning from its crew was a unique experience and we had a lot of fun with our customers who joined us for the day out on the water,” Roma said afterward. “Ambrogio is not only a great sailor but also an amazing testimonial to this beautiful sport!”

Also on hand from MAPEI Canada were Martin Vachon, Product Line Manager (Admixtures for Concrete), and Justin Lafontaine, Business Development Manager for Eastern Canada, along with Sales Representatives Shade Gosselin and Pier-Olivier Boulet.

At midday, the guests and crew were feted with a lunch in a harbour bistro, where the Italian-born Beccaria expressed surprise at the mouth-watering pizza. The world champion racer even flattered us, saying it tasted as good as any from home!

Later that month, Beccaria pulled anchor and set sail in another Class40 solo transatlantic race, the Transat Québec Saint Malo. From all of us at MAPEI Canada, thank you, and bon voyage!

About Ambrogio Beccaria

A 33-year-old graduate in nautical engineering, Ambrogio Beccaria was born and raised in Milan, Italy. After various experiences in crews and doubles, in 2013 he used his savings to purchase a mini 6.50, a boat measuring just six and a half meters in length. Since then, Beccaria, who began sailing solo, has never stopped winning regattas in this class both in Italy and France. Over recent seasons, 2018-2019, he has won more races than any other Italian sailor, becoming a great prospect in the sport of ocean sailing. On November 15, 2019, Beccaria was the first Italian sailor in history to win the Mini-Transat, a legendary transatlantic solo race. He was named “Sailor of the Year” in 2018 and 2019. He lives in Lorient, Brittany.