Now the picture is complete, Sartiglia 2024 has crowned its protagonists. Even the Farmers' Guild has resolved the hesitations: Giovani Utzeri will lead the carousel that will open the Oristano Carnival on February 11th: at his side Andrea Zucca and Paolo Faedda.
Great party and ritual toast in the San Giovanni dei Fiori headquarters where s'Oberaiu Majori made his choice official after knocking on the chosen one's home for the most awaited invitation.
Forty-one years old, a highly experienced rider with a rich list of awards behind him, Giovanni Utzeri experiences the thrill of the top hat for the first time but not that of the lead pair: in 2011 he was third cumpoi for the Carpenters' gremio, leader Andrea Zucca, and he played the same role two years later for San Giovanni, alongside Giorgio Sanna. This time, however, it is a different joy, "an indescribable emotion", the new race leader defines it.
Utzeri's appointment comes almost two months after the choice of Majorale Gino Mugheddu who, well ahead of the canonical times, last 27 October entrusted Fabrizio Manca with the leadership of the procession of 120 knights ready to compete on the route Duomo and via Mazzini. To complete the pair, lifelong companions Corrado Massidda and Ignazio Lombardi: both already componidoris for the Gremio di San Giovanni.
Less than two months until the most awaited event of the year and the climate of Sartiglia is already hitting the city: the first appointment is scheduled for January with the selections necessary to decide the 40 pairs protagonists of the 2024 edition.