An icon of the IOR, Brava is perhaps the first major project of the Vallicelli studio, his springboard to the pinnacle of sailing. Commissioned in the late ’70s by Pasquale Landolfi, conceived and designed in 1979 by Studio Vallicelli, Brava was the Italian icon of the First Class IOR. Before her, there were Argentovivo and Filodatorcere, equally large boats, but Brava is Brava. After her, it was Azzurra’s turn, challenger in the 1983 America’s Cup.

Built in aluminum by the Minneford Shipyard in New York, it is a medium-heavy displacement, with graceful yet aggressive waterlines, the maximum beam is very wide for its category, slightly aft, and the bow lines present very narrow semi-entry angles.

1980 is her launch year, with her debut in Alassio and the downwind run immortalized by Borlenghi, one of the most famous photos in Italian sailing and beyond. She then earned a 4th place at the Sardinia’s Cup. In 1981, she was updated to be more competitive. 1982 and 1983 arrived. Now Brava wins everything winnable, including two Italian Championships, the 1982 Sardinia’s Cup, and finally, the 1983 Fastnet. It’s the birth of a legend.
With her, Pasquale Landolfi becomes the reference owner of Italian offshore racing and an icon of sailing, along with Brava. Six namesakes follow her, four One Tonners, an ILC 40, and an IMS 50.