Building a New Generation of Sailors

The America’s Cup is rooted in measuring the strength of a nation, a concept that has gotten diluted with modern globalization. While forming an America’s Cup team from an international field may deliver short term benefit, the positive impact for the represented country is lost. There is no trickle down if the hose is turned off.

As the Challenger of Record for the 36th America’s Cup, Luna Rossa has launched the “New Generation” project, a program involving a selection of the most talented and promising young Italian sailors in a series of training and observation sessions. The mission? To benefit Italy.

The young sailors will rotate throughout the next months in Cagliari alongside more experienced Luna Rossa team members – with a record of participation in previous America’s Cup campaigns – who will help them grow. The aim is to expand the Luna Rossa sailing team and develop a new generation of top level sailors, whilst retaining Luna Rossa’s recognized level of crew excellence.

Intensive training sessions on the water and ashore, development of “feeling” and intuition, boat handling and tuning, tactics and strategy master classes are already underway. Commitment, teamwork and stress management will also be considered as forming part of the training and of the final evaluation.

“Luna Rossa has always considered the development of a generation of young and talented sailors a priority,” notes Max Sirena, Luna Rossa Skipper and Team Director. “Italy has a great potential and our goal is to expand the pool of home-grown sailors by involving the most qualified and promising young Italian talents in the team.”

Luna Rossa also announces the entry in the team of two highly qualified and talented sailors:
• Shannon Falcone – two times America’s Cup winner over six challenges, two Volvo Ocean Race campaigns, Transatlantic, Transpac, Bermuda and Hobart Race record holder.
• Pietro Sibello – two Olympic participations, European Champion and three Bronze World Medals in the 49er class and now at his second America’s Cup challenge with Luna Rossa.

Both Shannon and Pietro are expected to have an important role as sailing team members, observers and coaches in the “New Generation” project.

Source: Luna Rossa

Key dates:
✔ September 28, 2017: 36th America’s Cup Protocol released
✔ November 30, 2017: AC75 Class concepts released to key stakeholders
✔ January 1, 2018: Entries for Challengers open
March 31, 2018: AC75 Class Rule published
June 30, 2018: Entries for Challengers close
August 31, 2018: Location of the America’s Cup Match and The PRADA Cup confirmed
August 31, 2018: Specific race course area confirmed
December 31, 2018: Late entries deadline
March 31, 2019: Boat 1 can be launched
2nd half of 2019: 2 x America’s Cup World Series Preliminary Events
February 1, 2020: Boat 2 can be launched
During 2020: 3 x America’s Cup World Series Preliminary Events
December 10-20, 2020: America’s Cup Christmas Race
January and February 2021: The PRADA Cup Challenger Selection Series
March 2021: The America’s Cup Match

Protocol of the 36th America’s Cup
Key Points of the Protocol
Deed of Gift