Women Of Today: In A Position To Change The World w/ Maretta Bigatti

Her passion for sailing started when she was only a child.

The sea was where she truly felt at home, and you could even call it love at first sight. Her personality and story is incredibly unique and I instantly wanted to know more about this wonderful young woman that lives her life unapologetically following her passion. Besides being passionate about sailing she was also once an acrobat specialized in aerial hoop. Both sailing and performing as an acrobate require dedication, commitment to training and mental strenght, and she has it all.

As she prepares to join our Translated 9 team at the Ocean Globe Race, Maretta was kind enough to sit down with me and share her story as well as what does this race mean to her.

As Maretta so beautifully reminded me that every meaningful change starts with us, I hope this can inspire us all to look within and use our potential to make an impact in the world.

Meet Maretta Bigatti - a sailor.

Isabelle: How did you discover your passion for sailing? What drove you to it?

Maretta: Okay, let me tell you my sailing story—it all started when I was just 4 years old. My family and I used to go on sailing vacations, and we'd spend two whole weeks each year on a sailboat. Even at that young age, I felt at home on the water. You could see it in how I moved and how I felt around water.

Then, when I turned six, I decided to take some sailing courses. I began with an Optimist boat in Bogliasco, Italy. Later on, we spent our summers at Lake Iseo, where we had a house. My brother and I practically lived at the sailing club there, taking different sailing courses.

As the years went by, we got more serious about sailing, and we eventually joined a racing team on the lake. My big breakthrough came in 2008 when I competed in my very first sailing race—the O'pen BIC European Championship. To my surprise, I did really well and ended up in third place. And that's how my sailing journey began! I was eight.

Then, my sailing journey continued. I had participated in various regattas, such as the European O'pen BIC 2008 and the World Championship, both hosted at our club on the lake. My brother and I continued racing there until around 2013. However, as I grew up and entered my teenage years, I became more involved in other sports and activities, including the Circus and various other sports.

In the summer of 2020, almost by chance, I rekindled my passion for sailing. I had always done dinghy sailing but decided to take a keelboat course in Sardinia. Initially planned for two weeks, I ended up staying for two months. It was a love-at-first-sight experience, and I fell in love with the different approach to keelboat sailing.

During my instructor training certification in Sardenia, I learned about the Translated project, and that marked the beginning of a new chapter. I submitted my application on March 3rd, the final day for applications.

I: What is something that most people wouldn’t know about you?

M: I attended a classical high school and hold a diploma in classical studies. However, in recent years, especially after completing high school, I've had the opportunity to interact with various people in different settings. Many of them, not knowing my educational background, would be quite surprised when I mentioned that I had pursued classical studies in high school. Perhaps it was because of my somewhat eccentric appearance and strong personality, but people often assumed I had pursued a different field of study.

I: Is there a quote or a mantra that you live by? What inspires you the most in your everyday life??

M: Indeed, there's a quote that I recently came across. While I haven't known it my whole life, upon hearing or reading it, I felt a deep resonance and a profound sense of its significance. The quote is by Simone de Beauvoir, the renowned French existentialist philosopher and feminist writer: "One doesn't transform one's life without transforming oneself." This quote has become something of a personal mantra, a constant reminder, and a valuable guiding principle.

It encapsulates a fundamental truth, "Meaningful change begins from within us”. Our inner world is the crucible where transformation takes shape. Life presents us with diverse situations, each holding its unique potential for growth. However, the key lies in our interpretation, experience, and the lessons we draw from these situations. It's about how we engage with them, respond to them, and, ultimately, how we evolve, adapt, and discover our inner reservoirs of strength. Admittedly, this process is not without its challenges, but it forms the very foundation of our life journey.

I: We live in a time where life gets easily chaotic and we are often exposed to too much information. How do you keep yourself grounded? Are there any practices that have helped you?

M: The sea has always been my sanctuary, from growing up in a seaside town to sailing with my parents. I can't quite put it into words, but the sea has been a constant in my life. Whether I'm facing challenges, seeking solitude, or simply finding tranquility, I turn to the sea and its mesmerizing waves. Additionally, I've embraced practices like yoga and meditation in recent years, which bring me a sense of well-being and happiness. While the Round the World regatta project presents some challenges, I still want to integrate these practices into my life because they enhance my overall sense of well-being.

I: Besides being passionate about sailing you were also once an acrobat specialized in aerial hoop. How did you prepare for your performance? And, what did you love the most about it?

M: The essence of preparation lies in rigorous training. It's about repetition, honing movements until they flow effortlessly, creating a routine, a choreography that becomes your second nature. The goal is to perform with such grace that it appears effortless to the audience, even though it's the result of intense training. People often said that when I was in the air, it seemed effortless, but in reality, it required immense effort. Training is the cornerstone of this process, shaping every aspect that precedes the performance.?

Just like a well-coordinated sailing crew, each member must perform their task with precision and efficiency, ensuring the maneuver flows seamlessly. The most enjoyable part of my circus experience was everything leading up to the actual performance. More than the show itself, the warm-up and stretching were essential moments.?

Stretching allowed me to relax, ease the pre-performance nerves, and prepare mentally. Once on stage, as the music began, the adrenaline surged, but it all faded away, and my body took over. I was in the moment, disconnected from the outside world, and the performance flew by in an instant.

I: What motivated you to become a Translated 9 crew member and join this one-of-a-kind regatta?

M: Well, the chance to sail around the globe is a rare and extraordinary opportunity, particularly considering the uniqueness of this regatta. In the modern era, sailing has evolved into a highly technical and competitive sport, presenting increased challenges. However, this regatta goes back to old rules when sailing was open to a much wider audience, and I like to call it the "vintage regatta." It's characterized by a departure from excessive technology and extreme conditions, focusing instead on the human element, as you've made it your motto.?

What truly resonates with me about the project is that we're all very young people, so we have this beautiful opportunity to have this experience, to train ourselves, to move forward, and progress in ways that can be challenging for individuals of our age.

Counting on us is an honor first of all, it's a privilege as well. I really liked it, and also the fact that we're all international young people, we all come from different places, so we have an extra layer to connect.

I: What would you say to all the women who want to take charge of their lives and do things outside their comfort zones?

M: Ride the wave. I find myself here today due to your support, but also because of my own determination, resilience, and the commitment I wholeheartedly invested. The journey wasn't without its challenges, and perhaps I encountered more obstacles than some of my colleagues or peers, but we did it, so we keep moving forward..

I: A message you would leave to your future self?

M: To continue pursuing my passions, to persist in doing what brings me joy and fulfillment. I aspire to carry a lighter load, shedding unnecessary concerns and not taking myself or life too seriously.