His name was Giancarlo Trevisan and he taught me how to row when I was 14 years old. As I was creating a new GLRF country page tonight for our first member from Portugal, an email arrived from rowers who long ago left the water, sharing the news that Giancarlo had passed. I consider myself to be one of the luckiest rowers in the world to have learned the masterful Italian rowing technique from this phenomenal world champion.

In his deep, thick Italian accent and forceful gestures, Volare, as I called him, would implore me to reach and release with the utmost precision.

I am so very proud to have been one of your students Giancarlo. I will think of you always.

- your soldier, Brian