CAGLIARI – NAPLES: LUNA ROSSA’S
DOUBLE CHALLENGE
Managing two sailing programs simultaneously in two separate locations is a complex operation: we explain how it works
Managing the activities of the two AC40s in Naples and those of the AC75 in Cagliari at the same time is a challenge within a challenge for Luna Rossa, requiring a synchronized roadmap and flawless logistics. Above all, however, it requires strong coordination across all departments, from the sailors to the logistics managers.
Jacopo Plazzi Marzotto, coach of Luna Rossa, is keen to highlight the work carried out by the Y&W team: «The girls and boys have been essential in carrying out this dual programme. Without weighing on or interfering with the overall schedule, they have given their all, working together with the shore team and the two coaches dedicated to the youth and women’s programme, Guido Gallinaro and Rocco Falcone. First, they worked on the maintenance of the AC40s, then on their disassembly and finally on setting them up in Naples, making it possible for the two boats to sail from day one — a result that was by no means a given. I would also like to say that the success of this complex operation is due in part to the teamwork involving the people managing the team’s logistics in Naples. Although they are busy developing the base in Bagnoli, they found the time to dedicate themselves to setting up the AC40 area, allowing us to operate immediately in the best possible conditions. The other coaches and I travel back and forth from Cagliari to follow the two-boat sessions, where we focus on match racing, while some of us support certain coaching and data analysis activities remotely. These first sailing sessions have been essential to establish contact with the city and to gather as much information as possible on the weather and sea conditions ahead of the September regattas and, above all, 2027. Naples will also be an opportunity to test new faces who will complete the youth and women’s line-ups, and at the moment we can only say that we are thrilled with this city. Not to mention the extraordinary welcome we have received: from the Mayor to Cannavaro, an extraordinary champion, and to the people we have met in the streets — everyone has immediately made us feel at home».
«The two programmes are both fundamental», adds Gilberto Nobili, Technology & Operations Director of Luna Rossa, «and carrying them out simultaneously requires a perfect fit. We need to have a clear understanding of the timing and sailing sessions for both the AC40s and the AC75, as well as the related maintenance periods. Then we need to organize the transport of the boats, secure the support facilities, and decide which people will travel — including sailors, technicians, doctors and support teams. Our roadmap envisages the Y&W crews staying in Campania throughout the summer, while the Senior team will travel back and forth from Cagliari to carry out several two-boat sessions in Naples and, in parallel, continue the AC75 programme».
Michele Cannoni, AC75 Boat Captain & Shore Team Director, goes into more detail: «The Y&W team has worked extremely hard to become self-sufficient and able to handle any situation independently. In Naples, there are two containers serving as a workshop and sail loft, so that each department has a small, fully functioning corner to deal with and solve day-to-day issues. The two junior boat captains — Stefano Dezulian for boat 1 and Pietro De Luca for boat 2 — together with the entire youth and women’s team, are truly very capable, and each of them knows their role perfectly. It is no coincidence that, as soon as the AC40s were unloaded from the ship, they were able to reassemble them in record time and start sailing immediately. They are doing an extraordinary job. Meanwhile, AC75-related activities continue in Cagliari. When the Senior team is in Naples for the two-boat session, the boat undergoes maintenance, so that everything is ready when sailing resumes. This means having two teams operating at 100%, including technicians, shore team, engineers, RIB drivers, communications and more. It is a perfect coordination effort that requires maximum collaboration from all departments».
