28 July 1952

Agostino STRAULINO and Nico RODE (ITA) sailed to victory to secure the gold medal in the final Star race at the 1952 Olympic Games, the pinnacle achievement in an incredible year for the legendary Italian Star pair.

Olympic victory in Helsinki was the highlight of a glorious year for STRAULINO and RODE, who also won the Italian Star Championship and left Finland for Portugal, where they went on to take European and World glory in Cascais.

Whilst STRAULINO’s sailing career is littered with a near endless stream of triumphs, many with RODE and then later with Carlo ROLANDI, 1952 was to be his ultimate victory – the highest honour amongst three World titles, an Olympic silver medal in 1960, ten European titles (including a run of eight in a row from 1949-56) and eleven Italian Star Championships. Although many of STRAULINO’s victories came after utter domination, he also proved throughout his sailing career that he relished a close fight and it was to be the latter that decided the gold medal in 1952.

STRAULINO and RODE went to Helsinki in their Star Merope as one of the leading contenders for the title, although perhaps not as outright favourites, with STRAULINO holding a reputation for the occasional rash decision and, more importantly, plain bad luck (he had dismasted in the final race of the 1948 Olympic Games, dropping him to fifth place).

The seven race Olympic Regatta turned out to be a straight fight between STRAULINO and RODE and Jack PRICE and John REID (USA) on the American Star Comanche. The Italians where stronger in the light winds and much more consistent across the whole range of conditions, whilst PRICE and REID had terrific downwind speed, especially when the breeze got up.

With the opening race in strong winds and choppy seas, PRICE and REID excelled to take the bullet, followed in second place in the 21 boat fleet by STRAULINO and RODE. On day two, in much lighter conditions, the Italians demonstrated their mastery of Star sailing. They won race 2 by over 7 minutes, not only beating every other Star into oblivion, but passing all 17 Dragons and close to half of the 5.5 Metre fleet, which had started 10 and 20 minutes ahead respectively.

Despite a disappointing seventh in race 2, the Americans fought back strongly as the wind returned on day three, with PRICE and REID recording another win, overtaking STRAULINO and RODE as a shackle on their jib snapped on the last beat.

Another American victory followed after a tactical error by the Italians in race 4, but this time it was STRAULINO and RODE who came back strongly, sailing a magnificent race to overtake the leading Bahamas boat in the final stages of race 5. The topsy-turvy battle continued, with victory in the penultimate race going to PRICE and REID.

STRAULINO and RODE had finished first or second in all six races, but the Olympic scoring system at the time heavily favoured race wins and allowed for one discard. With four bullets (to the Italians’ two), PRICE and REID held the advantage going into the final race on Monday 28 July. STRAULINO and RODE had to finish first and put at least one boat between them and the Americans, or else hope their rivals finished sixth or worse.

In a very light southwesterly wind the start was to prove crucial. STRAULINO and RODE sailed way off from the start line to discourage the Americans from following their wake. Whilst they timed their return to perfection, PRICE and REID got buried at the start and were forced to tack to port.

The Canadian team held the lead at the first mark, but STRAULINO and RODE had their sights set on victory. In the light conditions, PRICE and REID were only able to recover to eighth place, whilst STRAULINO and RODE sailed past the Canadians to record their third win of the series and a famous overall victory.

Where Are They Now

As well as the World and European title in the same year, Agostino STRAULINO and Nico RODE went on to win their second and third Star Worlds in 1953 and 1956. The pair also won an Olympic silver medal in Melbourne in 1956. In the same year they won their eighth straight Star European title.

After RODE stepped down, STRAULINO continued in the Star with Carlo ROLANDI. He won his tenth European title in 1959 and went on to finish fourth at the Rome 1960 Olympic Games. In Tokyo four years later he switched to the 5.5 Metre and again came in fourth. He also won the 5.5 Metre Worlds in 1965.

He died on 14 December 2004 in Rome.

ISAF In 1952

1952 was a significant year for the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU), with both the USSR and the National Yacht Racing Association of the USA joining the world governing body.

The Flying Dutchman single trapeze dinghy was given its name by Sir Peter SCOTT (GBR), the IYRU President from 1955-1969.

Paul ELVSTRÖM (DEN) won a gold medal as the Finn dinghy made its first appearance at the Helsinki Olympic Games. The Rickard SARBY (SWE) design has been part of every Olympic Sailing Competition since.