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Alberto Divella, BIEM student and sailor for the Italian Sailing Federation, is preparing to tackle his first year in the senior category and has one clear goal in mind — the 2028 Olympic Games taking place in the US supercity

While physical fitness is crucial in every sport, mental fitness is equally — if not more — important in some. In sailing, for example, one must know how to interpret the weather, including winds and sea conditions, and how to outmaneuver opponents. This is especially true in categories where the sailor is alone on the boat; in other words, strategic thinking is key. In fact, it is one of the fundamental characteristics of a sailor, as confirmed by Alberto Divella. Alberto is a 21-year-old athlete of Bari’s Sailing Club and a Bocconi University student enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in International Economics and Management (BIEM). “In our sport, especially when you belong to the youth categories, it is not just the results that matter. Coaches have to understand an athlete’s potential by also assessing their ability to ‘read’ a race, interpret weather conditions, and prepare a strategy. That is kind of what happened to me.”

Love-Hate Relationship 

Alberto began sailing not by way of family tradition, which happens often, but a bit by chance. “My parents worked even during the summer and, to keep me close and — at the same time — busy for the entire day, they enrolled me in a sailing course as soon as I turned six,” he says. “It was a love-hate relationship at first, but I eventually became passionate about it.” Alberto quickly progressed through the youth categories with increasingly complex boats, thanks in part to a physique that makes him look older. “Like everyone else, I started out in the Optimist at nine years old,” he continues. “Then I moved up through the cadet and junior categories to the Ilca — the boat I still sail today — as part of a federal project with expert coaches. This allowed me to improve, thanks to the opportunity to train with more experienced sailors, which is always a great way to learn.” In 2026, Alberto Divella finds himself at a career crossroads: the transition from the youth categories to the senior category. In every sport, this represents a considerable leap. “This will be a year of transition, during which I will try to learn,” he admits. “I will have to do so quickly, though. The level at which I have to compete is very high; my peers have already been to two or three Olympics. If you make a mistake during a race, the competition is compromised, whereas in the youth categories you have more room for recovery.”

The Goals

After transferring to Bocconi, away from the sea, things became a bit complicated from a logistical standpoint. “There is no sea here, but fortunately Lake Como is nearby,” says Alberto. “However, my studies are equally important at this stage of my life and, given my passion for economics, Bocconi was the natural choice. I do need to build a future beyond sailing, since a sailing career does not last forever, even if it is rather long-lived.” Like many of his peers juggling two careers, Alberto also struggles with balancing his studies and sports. “Doing both exceptionally well is very difficult,” he continues. “Every now and then, I do have to prioritize one over the other; I try my best to stay organized.” Meanwhile, two major sailing competitions are on the horizon and require the best possible preparation. “In June, I will participate in the European Championships in Kastela, Croatia. The World Championships, on the other hand, will take place in Dublin Bay in August, but I have not yet decided whether I will participate.” These are obviously in addition to the races of Bocconi’s Sailing Team, of which Alberto is a member. He shares, “We race on a boat called RS 21 with a crew of five, which is not easy for me as I am used to competing and managing everything alone, but in the end everything went well.” At just over 20 years old, this sailor’s career is still young, but his sights are already set on a very specific goal: Los Angeles 2028. “The Olympics are the ultimate goal for all of us; unfortunately, there will be room for only one,” he concludes. “But time is on my side — after Los Angeles, there will definitely be other opportunities.”

 

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