THE FOIL ACADEMY FIV POWERED BY LUNA ROSSA IS ON TOUR IN ITALY’S SAILING CLUBS

The "Foil Academy FIV powered by Luna Rossa", a sailing program created in partnership with FIV -Italy’s National Sailing Federation- to promote and develop technical knowledge in youth sailing, has just completed its first two stages in Viareggio and Senigallia. The program entails several clinic events that will take place in the next months throughout Italy, with the goal of allowing talented young sailors with the opportunity to “fly” on foiling boats and to become future champions.

The first two events counted the participation of over 60 youths in the Waszp, Skeeta and iQFOiL classes. The schedule consisted in a preliminary class on land, with classes introducing the mechanisms and functioning of foiling boats, followed by on-water practice sessions. Here the kids were allowed to try and “fly” the boats, with the added value of special coaching and advice from a sailor from the America’s Cup team Luna Rossa. This was an exceptional chance for the students to increase their technical and athletic skills.

The Senigallia event featured nautical engineer and sailor Enrico Voltolini, whose sports career includes a European Championship title and 2 Italian championship titles; he is currently grinder and trimmer for the Italian Luna Rossa crew. Enrico interacted with the students and shared his experience in the world of sailing, to then follow them out for a coaching session on the water. Some of the topics covered in Enrico’s master class included anecdotes from his experience in the America's Cup, its similarities with an Olympic campaign, the difference between foiling boats with single or multiple crew members and the transition from the "slower" Olympic classes to the world of foiling boats.  

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team grinder Enrico Voltolini commented: “Teaching and working with these young sailors has been extremely rewarding; it was great to see how passionately they approach sailing and the sea. These programs should be strongly promoted; it is essential that professional athletes share their knowledge and experience with younger kids. The world of professional sailing, that holds greater potential for development in terms of technology and resources, is an important resource to recruit youth Olympic classes. I think this project is a great opportunity for youth sailors who want to pursue this sport as a career.”

This project, created to support and develop the new generations of Italian sailors, has scheduled its next events for the month of August in Rimini (from August 3 to 10) and in Ravenna (from August 16 to 26).

FIV athletes will have the possibility of enrolling through their regional committees to enter the first phase of the Foil Academy program called "Flight Test", which entails three days of activities dedicated to “foiling newbies” and allows them to test the various boats. The best athletes from this preliminary phase will be selected for the specialization activities "Clinic" - scheduled in Ravenna during the last days of the stage in the Romagna riviera. Starting from September, the third phase of the project called “Workout” will begin. This phase will consist in real training sessions for the best athletes selected during the Clinics and will take place in the most important Italian sailing centers.