In safe hands 

Valerio Bardi, Skipper

Valerio has sailed more than 180,000NM, from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, from the Caribbean to Rhode Island, and in 2020 he embarked from St Lucia as part of the World ARC with the intention of circumnavigating. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the World ARC was suspended in Tahiti in April. With a skeleton crew, Valerio kept going and completed his 26,000NM circumnavigation, arriving in Martinique in April 2021, just a few days earlier than the original planned date of return to the Caribbean.

He has been a member of RORC since 1995, and skippered many regattas and races including Fastnet, Middle Sea Race, Cervantes Trophy, Caribbean RORC 600, Round Britain non stop, Mediterranean Cup, Giraglia, Swan Cup, Maxi Yacht Cup, Antigua Week, St Maarten, Les Voiles de St Barth, Les Voiles de St Tropez as well as crossing the Atlantic 12 times with the ARC Rally since 2006.

Born just outside Florence, Italy, Valerio began sailing in Tuscany with his two elder brothers. When he moved with his wife and young family to London in 1993, he qualified as a Yacht Master Offshore. He has an ISAF safety course qualification, ENGI Seafarers Medical Certificate, and upgraded in 2012 to the Yacht Master Ocean Certificate of Competence with commercial endorsement for code vessels <200gt.

His English is fluent and he has conversational French and Spanish. An excellent communicator, Valerio puts everyone at their ease while helping them to sail to the best of their ability. The focus is on ensuring everyone – be it a family or a racing crew - enjoys their time on board Milanto.

Hostess or First Mate

When crossing the Atlantic there will be an experienced First Mate on board. For short cruises, especially with children, a hostess can be a bonus.