BERTA Elena

General
PARTNERSHIP
She began sailing with Bianca Caruso in the 470 class in 2018. "Obviously being a crew involves being part of a path of evolution. Since we started together we have always sought the best possible 'playbook' to be implemented on the boat and we have changed it many times according to our needs and also to our improvements. At the moment we have found an excellent balance that we plan to carry forward to [the 2020 Olympic Games in] Tokyo. We still have room for improvement, especially in terms of self-confidence. We are learning to have more and more awareness of ourselves and of being a crew that can push for a medal at the Olympics and this certainly helps us to be more confident in ourselves on the race course and believe more in our choices." (velaemotore.it, 13 Apr 2021)

OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE
She was a late call-up for the Italy sailing team at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro after initial choice Roberta Caputo tested positive for a prohibited substance in July 2016. Her experience in Brazil means she is heading for the 2020 Games with a much different mindset. "I participated in the Rio Olympics in 2016 and they were a bit special. It was a last-minute call and obviously my first Olympics. I was 24 years old. It was a wonderful experience. I am very happy to go to the [2020] Olympics and I certainly go with greater experience, the aspirations are different from Rio. In Japan we have collected a series of fourth places, at the 2019 Class World Championships and in the World Cup. We arrive at the Olympics knowing we can dream big. Above all by working to try to win a medal." (oasport.it, 30 Mar 2021; pressmare.it, 21 Jul 2016)