Luna Rossa wins the first youth regatta: Marco Gradoni in the lead
It is called the Unicredit Youth America's Cup and is the regatta dedicated to young sailing talents, helmsmen and trimmers under the age of 25, who are meeting these days in the waters of Barcelona against the backdrop of the semi-finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup
2' min read
2' min read
It is called the Unicredit Youth America's Cup and is the regatta dedicated to young sailing talents, helmsmen and trimmers under the age of 25, who are meeting these days in the waters of Barcelona against the backdrop of the semi-finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup, later there will also be the Puig Women's America's Cup, for girls of all ages.
The two events
.The two events are being raced with the AC40 one-design boats that were the stars of the Vilanova and Jeddah regattas. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli comes in style and won the first regatta in a big way with the talented Marco Gradoni, a three-time consecutive Optimist world champion who has trained extensively with loe different Luna Rossa boats, including the "real" AC75 that he is racing these days. He was also coxswain in Jeddah against the big boys and did very well. That is also why he is a clear favourite against opponents who have sailed a few days on the AC40s, full of enthusiasm.
In fact Marco, who some would also have liked in the starting role on the AC75, said: "I had the opportunity to race in Jeddah and it was a fantastic experience, but now I am looking towards the next challenge which is the junior one and racing with a completely different crew. We received a lot of support from the team and the women's team also gave us a big hand during the preparation. We have been training a lot and we are ready for the conditions in Barcelona.
The women's team
.In the women's crew one of the starters is Giulia Conti, one of the strongest athletes we have had and now a coach in the USA. In addition to Marco there will be helmsman Gianluigi Ugolini on board, and trimmers Federico Colaninno and Rocco Falcone, both sons of art. Among the favourites is another son of art: Harry Melges IV, who will race for NYYC American Magic. His father Buddy Melges was the helmsman of the Moro di Venezia's defeat back in '92.
Not to be underestimated the Kiwis, as always the New Zealanders are strong and to be remembered is the victory in this event in 2013 by Peter Burling now a starter on New Zealand. Their skipper Leo Takahashi, helmsman on the starboard side, is an ace match-racer, as well as always being one of the fastest on the simulator, an irreplaceable tool in which the young digital natives are proving to be very skilled.
