Luca di Montezemolo said that Ferraris shouldn't be bought by footballers because they don't use them. Of course, Ferraris should be driven mainly by pilots or by those who know how to drive them, but we like to think that, in addition to drivers, there are people who especially deserve to drive the Reds. That is sports champions in various disciplines.
Flavia Tartaglini with her board. Photo by Alberto Novelli.
If their name is Flavia Tartaglini, then what was said is even more true. Because she is a true force of nature in the many sports she practices. Her life is a thousand miles an hour, always with a smile and... cheering for Valentino Rossi!
Flavia Tartaglini.
Flavia Tartaglini, a surfing star. In a Ferrari as well as on a board. «Up until now, my father and I were thinking of an off-road vehicle. But, after trying the California T, I would like to change my mind. And then there’s also room for the boards...» By Alessandro Giudice on December 15, 2014.
It is not the wind that drives her, it is determination. The one that can be read in her clear and deep eyes, in the sunny smile that disappears immediately as soon as something to concentrate on, even apparently negligible, takes over. That determination that, thanks to a rugby player father who would have wanted a son, has made her become an all-round athlete, always balanced between play and competition.
Flavia Tartaglini in a Ferrari California T.
Actually no, just competition, since she, Flavia Tartaglini, a 29-year-old windsurfer from Rome, number 1 in the RS:X world ranking, her Olympic class, takes every challenge seriously, "even too much", she admits being falsely sorry - and does not accept coming second, ever. A determination that she has refined with fencing, where the confrontation is open, almost bloody and it is shocking to think of this kind of blond angel all tense in looking for the thrust while avoiding blows.
Flavia Tartaglini in a Ferrari California T.
On the other hand, she has always loved the strong wind, 20 knots and the wave formed to give the best of herself and then, just to do some quick psychology, if as a cinema enthusiast she adores films like ‘Gran Torino’ and ‘Million dollar baby’, two tough and epic stories by Clint Eastwood, it must mean something.
Flavia Tartaglini in a Ferrari California T.
We went to visit her on the Lazio coast before leaving for Rio de Janeiro, home of the 2016 Olympic Games, where the national team is getting familiar with the regatta course: «one of my favorites, along with Medemblik, in North Holland.» We showed up in Ostia with the latest version of the 8-cylinder Ferrari equipped with a turbo, the California T, an evocative name for those who are used to sailing the sea on a board.
Flavia Tartaglini in a Ferrari California T.
And Flavia, who spent between Newport and San Diego her only break in a year of training, really appreciates both the American state and the Italian supercar: «until today I thought I loved Jeeps, in fact I had a bet with my father for a Wrangler, in case I was selected for the Olympics. But, alas, after trying the Ferrari, I'm afraid I’ve changed my mind... And then there’s also room for the surfing board!»
Flavia Tartaglini in a Ferrari California T.
We pass the information to dad and take note of the passion that Flavia puts into everything, even in the nonchalance of shifting the gears of the F1 gearbox and of managing the 560 horsepower of the engine, after a naturally cautious first approach. "It's wonderful, you can drive it in complete tranquility and safety", she says ecstatically, she who hasn't backed down from anything since she was little.
Flavia Tartaglini in a Ferrari California T.
In terms of sports, she has tried everything: from swimming to athletics and then roller skating, up to fencing supplanted by her boundless love for windsurfing, a love at first sight that struck her at 15: "before then I had never set foot on a board, even though I was already playing with the wind at six, when I took part in regattas with the Optimists and the Equipes." Windsurfing was clearly in her destiny, as it took her just three years to win the Youth World Championship at the Bulgarian event in Nessebar, on the Black Sea: "it was the first, great sporting emotion and I wasn't even the favourite: a tight match race with the Spanish Marina Alabau, who later became a dear friend. She's the one who won gold at the London Games."
Flavia Tartaglini on a Ferrari California T.
Just enough time to get home and immediately the proposals from various military bodies to capture the emerging talent rain down: the Guardia di Finanza wins and Flavia starts racing for the Fiamme Gialle sports group. Stubborn, tenacious and a perfectionist, she doesn't give up on anything, not even her studies and, after classical high school, she graduates in Communication Sciences: "I would have liked to be a sports journalist or a food and wine journalist, but first a doctor." Then her father, also a sports doctor, takes her aside and asks: "do you feel like staying indoors for days, in the clinic or in the hospital, you with your energy and desire to move and travel?" The answer is easy to imagine. She has no regrets at all: "making a profession out of the sport you love is a privilege". A privilege that comes with many sacrifices, even from a nutritional point of view, for her who is a good eater. But even there, Flavia doesn't slip up: "I only eat what I can burn off in training, otherwise I keep it light."
Flavia Tartaglini on a Ferrari California T.
If she didn't practice windsurfing, she would love beach volleyball, but it would be hard to play in pairs when you're used to individual sports. Champions of reference? Maybe because the nautical number that stands out on her sail is 46, Flavia has boundless admiration for Valentino Rossi: "I like his immense talent, his love for what he does and his genuine cheekiness, typical of a champion!" For now, apart from the World Championships and several World Cup races already in her palmarès, her goal is the Olympics: "it's the absolute crowning achievement for an athlete, a battle on equal terms: either in or out, without appeal." Is there something she envies Valentino for? "Yes, the fact that, when he wins, the national anthem starts on the podium. It must be a very strong emotion and I, for one reason or another, have never experienced it."
Flavia Tartaglini and a Ferrari California T.
Yes, it would really take an Olympics to inaugurate what could become a pleasant tradition. Or maybe some other occasion, before, without having to wait for Rio 2016.
Oh well, that's was an awesome first day at Ferrari pits in Abu Dhabi in November 2014.
Photo gallery
There is no better way to document Flavia's exciting life than to show you a photo gallery of her adventures.
Flavia Tartaglini with a cup in June 2013.
Flavia Tartaglini on a board in August 2013.
Flavia Tartaglini on a windsurf at night in August 2013.
Windsurfing in the middle of the waves in November 2013.
Flavia Tartaglini on a windsurf in February 2014.
Flavia Tartaglini in April 2014.
A windsurf race in May 2014.
Flavia Tartaglini with her best friend at the beach bar ‘Albatross’ at Kamari Beach, Greece, in July 2014.
Flavia Tartaglini at the beach bar ‘Albatross’ at Kamari Beach, Greece, in July 2014.
Flavia Tartaglini at the beach bar ‘Albatross’ at Kamari Beach, Greece, in July 2014.
Flavia Tartaglini at the beach bar ‘Albatross’ at Kamari Beach, Greece, in July 2014.
Flavia Tartaglini back to Santander in August 2014 for some training before the Worlds in September.
Flavia Tartaglini at Christmas in 2014.
Flavia Tartaglini at Ponza, Italy, in July 2015.
Flavia Tartaglini working hard in July 2015.
Flavia Tartaglini back to her favourite element at Ostia, Italy, in August 2015.
Flavia Tartaglini with her bicycle in December 2015.
Flavia Tartaglini at Rio in May 2016.
Flavia Tartaglini, Vanity Fair, in 2016.
Windsurfing rules: always work hard, have lot of fun and put your sunscreen. Flavia Tartaglini in June 2016.
Flavia Tartaglini working on her tan between trainings in June 2016.
A special feeling for Flavia to train for 2 weeks at home in July 2016 in the club where it all begun 25 years ago.
Flavia Tartaglini in July 2016, missing already her Brazilian sunset bike sessions.
Music, sun and wind for Flavia before, during and after training in July 2016.
Flavia Tartaglini feeling delighted in August 2016 before Rio 2016.
Flavia Tartaglini surfing in Uluwatu, Indonesia, in January 2017.
Flavia Tartaglini windsurfing at Lido di Ostia in February 2017.
Flavia Tartaglini in May 2017.
Flavia Tartaglini windsurfing in May 2017.
Flavia Tartaglini windsurfing in May 2017.
Flavia Tartaglini in May 2017.
Bye bye Garda lake for Flavia Tartaglini in June 2017. Strange stormy days but always beautiful.
Flavia Tartaglini at Corsica in July 2017.
Flavia Tartaglini windsurfing in July 2017.
Flavia Tartaglini at Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan, in September 2017. “Not my week, not my worlds but I love climbing and I love challenges.”
A regatta in October 2017.
Flavia Tartaglini feeling thankful at ‘Yo yoga studio’ in November 2017.
Flavia Tartaglini windsurfing in February 2018.
Windsurfing before sunset in February 2018.
Flavia Tartaglini in May 2018.
August 2018. It has been a tough week for Flavia Tartaglini, she never had good feelings on the water and got pretty sick halfway through the competition.
Flavia Tartaglini surfing in October 2018.
Flavia Tartaglini in March 2019. From Sicily to Canazei in less than 48 hours and soon on a ship to Palma de Mallorca in preparation for the European Championships, always with a smile and a knife between the teeth.
Flavia Tartaglini during training in March 2019.
Training days at home for Flavia Tartaglini in April 2019.
May 2019. One week to the World Cup Final in Marseille for Flavia Tartaglini.
Flavia Tartaglini training with her dog at Lido di Ostia in November 2020.
Flavia Tartaglini working for Sky in January 2021.
Flavia Tartaglini in March 2021. The pre-race meditation for tomorrow night begins... Tomorrow we will start cheering for Luna Rossa.
Flavia Tartaglini working for Sky in March 2021.
Flavia Tartaglini working for Sky in March 2021.
Luna Rossa in action in March 2021.
Flavia Tartaglini in Marettimo, Sicily, Italy, in August 2021. “The thing I will miss the most. Waking up with a nice dip in the sea!”
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