Alberto Riva

Born in Milan in 1992 and holding a degree in physical engineering, Alberto Riva has been immersed in the world of sailing since a very young age, spending time aboard his family’s boat – a vintage IOR racing vessel, the Regolo 3/4 ton from the 1970s. Between the ages of 14 and 21, he worked as a sailing instructor and took part in all the major Mediterranean regattas. He later joined the skiff sailing agonistic team, competing on the 29er.

Alberto’s sailing journey progressed alongside his technological training. After earning his degree, he collaborated with the Politecnico di Milano on the Progetto 1001vela, building a dinghy from scratch. He also worked on data analysis and performance insights for Team Azzurra TP 52, developing and self-constructing one of the most complex and critical components of solo racing sailboats: the autopilot system.

Alberto collaborated with some of Italy’s most prominent teams, including Giovanni Soldini’s “Maserati Multi 70,” and participated in prestigious oceanic races, such as the Route du Rhum and the Transat Jacques Vabre.
In 2019, he sailed on a new-generation series mini, winning the Mini Solo 222 and the Italian Mini Championship.
In January 2020, Alberto launched a new mini, with which he both won the Italian Mini 650 Class Championship and conquered first place in the International Ranking, capping off the season by finishing second in the Mini-Transat 2021, an unprecedented achievement for an Italian sailor on their first attempt.

Since 2022, Alberto has dedicated himself full time to Class40 competitions. In September 2024, he competed as co-skipper with Alberto Bona in the Normandy Channel Race.