NEXT GENERATION FOIL ACADEMY FIV POWERED BY LUNA ROSSA: SEE YOU IN TRIESTE

Great success for the Garda leg of the Next Generation Foil Academy FIV Powered by Luna Rossa, where the federal athletes taking part in the "Clinic" stage benefited from an exceptional mentor: Umberto Molineris, Luna Rossa sailor (in the previous Cup he was trimmer of the jib on the AC75), in fact, joined the young under-19s on one of the scheduled days, making himself available for advice, analysis and technical insights. Molineris was welcomed with great enthusiasm and curiosity by the young athletes who see in him the achievement of a dream come true. «Next Generation Foil Academy FIV Powered by Luna Rossa is a beautiful and very useful initiative that didn't exist in my time,» says Umberto; «not only does it allow sailors to train more often during the year, but also to compete in classes of boats different from their own and with people different from those they meet at their own club; this allows them to broaden their sailing, human and technical vision».

On the synergy between Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and the Next Generation Foil Academy FIV, he has no doubts: «It is a mutual exchange from which we both benefit: on one hand, Luna Rossa passes on its experience to young sailors, contributing to their sporting growth; on the other, these athletes can become resources to be included in the team's "new generation" programme» (which grows talent within Luna Rossa, ensuring generational turnover and the sporting excellence that distinguishes the Italian challenger). An expert on both the Waszp and the Persico 69F, having sailed on them often, Molineris was struck by the "maturity" of the athletes: «I have met determined and also very good sailors, who sail these boats with great confidence; in my day foling did not exist, for them it is the norm...».

Challenged by questions on the "behind the scenes" of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, Molineris explained the multiple roles of a sailor (who, when not on board, participates in all the team's activities, making himself available to each department), recounted a typical day, life at the base and small anecdotes that make up the daily routine of a professional athlete. The thrill of confronting a top sailor, a member of the Italian challenger to the 37th America's Cup, is natural and understandable, explained Umberto: «Even I, when I started sailing in 2000, was following Luna Rossa which, at the same time, was beginning its journey towards the Cup and I dreamed of one day being part of the team. I succeeded, but, as I explained, it's not easy. The life of a professional sailor is hard and tiring; whether you aspire to the Olympics or the America's Cup, the watchword is dedication. From training to nutrition, everything must be seen in terms of the result. Another piece of advice I have given the guys is to sail in different classes. The true champion, and Checco Bruni is an example, is the one who is able to achieve great results on different types of boats, demonstrating flexibility and curiosity».

Accompanied by former Olympian Alessandra Sensini - FIV Youth Technical Director and coordinator of the project - and by technician Gianluigi Picciau, the young sailors are now preparing for the final phase of this first taste around Italy of the Next Generation Foil Academy FIV Powered by Luna Rossa, which will take place in Trieste with the Barcolana Fun, where the best among them will sail together in a show regatta that will include not only Waszp and Skeeta but also iQFOiL. Alessandra Sensini commented on the stage that has just ended: «Sailing has entered a new era with Foil, just think that in Paris 2024 five out of ten classes will be 'flying' and so the Foil Academy was a bit of an answer from the Federation for the Next Generation: a container open to everything that the sailing world is developing to bring more and more young people to Foil. We are also counting on the Nacra 17 and on the collaboration with 69F, with whom we did two activities on Lake Garda with the best athletes of Development & Under. The Next Generation Foil Academy travels inside a container moving all over the territory; we have already touched six Zones and in the next months we will reach the others, involving all the zonal technicians to spread the programme.

The partnership with Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli took place at the beginning of this year and gave great impetus and interest to the Next Generation Foil Academy. We are talking about a very important technical partner that can support the competitive growth of this discipline and we find it very useful that their athletes come to talk to our guys, because they are the example of the path that young people dream of: youth teams, the Olympic classes and finally on Luna Rossa, competing for the America's Cup».