The Historical regatta is one of the most spectacular, engaging moments in the life of the city, able to enthuse and electrify the locals just as much as it fascinates the tourists.
This is a picture taken many years ago, the first time I went to the Historical regatta. I never knew, up until that point, that the real hearth of the Regatta beats AFTER the pageant of sixteenth-century boats, when the race of "gondolini" (lightweight gondolas) takes place. In fact, the high point of the Historical regatta of Venice is the race in which the champions rowers measure up against each other and this is the most eagerly awaited moment of the whole event, the challenge that really sets the Venetian crowd alight and has built up the sporting legend of the regatta over the years.
Photo taken with a Leica M6, 28mm Summicron and Velvia 50. I insinuated myself into this scene, asking permission first of course, and no-one cared about me as everybody was looking at the race.