Established as a Venetian Yacht Club in 1911 and then, following a message directed by Gabriele D'Annunzio to the Hon. Giovanni Giuriati, the Club assumed the current denomination Compagnia della Vela, whose initials - CDV - correspond to the motto, also indicated by the poet "Custodi, Domine, Vigilantes".
Compagnia della Vela History
In December 1933, with the patent of King Vittorio Emanuele III, the privilege of loading the Social Guide of the Royal Coat of Arms with Crown was confirmed to the Compagnia della Vela and the honor of flying the National War Flag, with related concessions and exemptions, privilege of already enjoyed by the Venetian Yacht Club since its establishment.
The Dux social boat, 12 meters international tonnage formula 1906, armed with a cutter with golden sails, with a crew of only Members, won some of the most prestigious offshore regattas in the decade 1929-1939, among which the definitive conquest in 1929 of the highly coveted King of Spain Cup, still kept in the Headquarters, following an epic regatta that saw the Dux victorious even in real time on much more powerful boats on the Pollena-Barcelona route.
In 1990 the first specimen of the Moro di Venezia was launched, with which the member Raul Gardini launched the challenge for the 1992 America's Cup. In that year all of Italy passionately followed our Moro di Venezia, until the amazing victory of the Louis Vuitton Cup that opens the door to the challenge with the defender of San Diego America3, which ended 4-1 in favor of the Americans. It is the first time in the history of the Copa America that Italian sailing has reached this prestigious milestone and it is also the first time that a challenger has won a race in the Copa America final.
It currently has more than 500 members including owners and non-owners, Venetians, Italians and foreigners. In recognition of its activity the Compagnia della Vela was awarded by CONI in 1990 with the Silver Star for sporting merit and, in 1995, it received directly from the hands of the President of the Republic the Golden Star for sporting merit, the highest recognition of the CONI, for the important victories reported in its history and for the excellent level of preparation shown in the organization of sporting events of the highest importance.
Finally, the Italian National Olympic Committee has resolved to grant the Compagnia della Vela the highest honor for the Clubs, the Collar d'Oro al Merito Sportivo. The honor, which recognizes the role of the club in the promotion and diffusion of sporting and Olympic ideals, is even more appreciable as it is granted in the same year of 100 years of accomplishment, which happens very rarely.