Riva, Alberto
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Alberto Riva

Sailor

ocean navigator and keynote speaker

Main Topics:

  • The sea as a metaphor for business
  • Betting on yourself: every project as a startup — risk and vision
  • Sailing solo: fears, risks, managing sleep and resources
  • The value of the team behind every venture (designers, technicians, meteorologists, sponsors)
  • Technology: a formidable ally but also a false sense of security
    Resilience and the ability to handle extreme situations in high-risk environments
  • The laws of the sea: community and brotherhood — human value beyond competition
  • The laws of the sea, part 2: responsibility toward others, experience in rescue operations, and social commitment
  • Knowing when to change course: the importance of vision and strategic flexibility

Professional Profile:

Born in Milan in 1992, Alberto Riva is an offshore sailor and engineering physicist, and one of the leading figures of a new generation of sailors who combine advanced technical skills with a competitive sporting vision. Raised in a family passionate about sailing, he took his first steps at sea as a child and, during his teenage years, discovered the Mini 6.50 class, setting himself the goal of competing in the Mini-Transat, one of the most demanding solo offshore races.

Alongside his studies at Politecnico di Milano, where he earned a degree in engineering physics, Riva built a professional path that brings together sailing and technology, specializing in onboard electronics and performance analysis. These skills led him to collaborate with some of the leading figures of Italian offshore sailing, including Giovanni Soldini and Ambrogio Beccaria, taking part in high-level international projects.

In 2019 and 2020 he established himself in the Mini 6.50 class, securing important victories and the title of Italian Champion, culminating in his standout result at the 2021 Mini-Transat, where he finished second overall: one of the best results ever achieved by an Italian on debut. This milestone marked the beginning of his journey into the higher offshore classes, particularly the Class40, with the launch of his ambitious Acrobatica project in this class and participation in various international competitions.

Following a second place at the Niji40 and victory at the 2024 Atlantic Cup, in July 2024 Riva took part in the Québec–Saint-Malo, during which a collision in the middle of the Atlantic resulted in the loss of his boat — a critical yet defining moment in both his personal and sporting journey.

In 2025 he quickly returned to competitive racing in the Class40 and took part in new, innovative projects, including the development of the Hypersail offshore prototype promoted by Ferrari and led by Giovanni Soldini, further confirming his role as a forward-thinking interpreter of contemporary sailing.

Alberto Riva’s career stands out for his ability to combine entrepreneurial vision, engineering expertise, and sporting spirit. His experience at sea thus becomes a metaphor for managing uncertainty, adaptation, and leadership — qualities that are as central to ocean navigation as they are to the business world.

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Ceccarelli, RiccardoSensini, Alessandra