© Luna Rossa | Studio Borlenghi
LUNA ROSSA ANNOUNCE BIG CREW CHANGES FOR PR2 NAPLES
© Luna Rossa | Studio Borlenghi
A bombshell crew announcement this morning from Luna Rossa as they get ready for the second Preliminary Regatta in Naples, all set to be the regatta of the year, from 24-27 September. The biggest news is the promotion of Marco Gradoni to the Senior Team – now named Luna Rossa 1 – and the fight is on for the coveted port helm position to support skipper Peter Burling.
A further changing of the guard occurs in the senior team with trimmer Vittorio Bissarro not named in the squad, replaced by Gianluigi ‘Gigi’ Ugolini who was co-helm with Gradoni in their victorious Youth America’s Cup win in Barcelona in 2024. Furthermore, Maria Giubilei, who has been seen in the fifth person role on the Italian team’s AC75, has also made the senior team.
Umberto Molineris, one of the most experienced trimmers in the Cup is included along with double Olympic gold medallist Ruggero Tita who co-helmed at the first Preliminary Regatta in Sardinia back in May. It’s a strong squad of sailors who will be looking for the win in Naples.
© Luna Rossa | Studio Borlenghi
The Luna Rossa Women & Youth team, now named ‘Luna Rossa 2’ equally have an abundance of talent with Women’s America’s Cup winner, Margherita Porro, leading the team and a choice of co-helms between Massimiliano ‘Max’ Antoniazzi, Lorenzo Sirena and Maria Vittoria Marchesini (who can also trim). Winning trimmer from Sardinia, Giovanni Santi is back and Alice Linussi, part of the winning Women’s America’s Cup team from 2024 also makes the cut in the squad.
In a press announcement, Luna Rossa stated: “In keeping with a sporting approach consolidated over the years, the athletes have been rotated to give everyone the opportunity to compete on board the AC40s, while allowing younger talents to gain valuable time on the water and integrate with the rest of the crew.”
Naples promises to be a fascinating test. Be there.