Gone is Vincenzo Zaccagnino, one of the “founding fathers” of Italian boating. For us at Motor Boats, Top Yacht Design and Journal of Sailing, it is the loss of a master of journalism, from whom all of us working in this field have drawn, inspired by his ideas, insights, writings.
Yes, because Vincenzo died at the age of 84 after spending his entire life telling the story of the sea. And he invented and wrote about everything. From famous newspapers such as Nautica, which he has edited since its founding for 24 years, to motorboat races, regattas, events, books, and boat shows.
He had been imprinted by his family, originally from Lošinj, now Croatia. A family of shipowners, and great fishermen. He had been everywhere around the world and had met and interviewed everyone he wanted to meet, as long as they had a connection to the sea and boating, famous or not.
He knew everything, remembered everything. It was enchanting to hear him tell, for example, about the first time Gianni Agnelli had told him about the America’s Cup, when he had conceived the first powerboat race on the Tiber, or when he had met Donald Trump who wanted to make a deal by reselling his motoryacht.
Vincenzo, Zac to those who knew him well, was everywhere in the moments that mattered. If you want to learn more about him click here
Passion and irony shone through in his writings. A detachment typical of someone who knows what he is saying and is not afraid to state it. His skill and passion was passed on to his son Matthew, director of Top Yacht Design, to whom all of us at Panama Editore are close at this sad time. (L.O.)
GOOD WIND ZAC!
From all of us at Panama Publishing
