by In Trieste
Luna Rossa, which won the Prada Cup on 21 February, is now competiting against New Zealand for the American’s Cup title and all eyes are on the Italian team.
Not only is Luna Rossa and Italian pride and one of the strongest sailing teams in the world, but three Triestini are part of the winning crew which makes the race ever more special for our city.
The America’s Cup World Series is a global circuit of events where the teams race catamarans for a season championship. It features up to 11 of the top sailing teams in the world, racing on cutting-edge, wingsail catamarans that demand the best from the crews. The competition takes place extremely close to shore, on short, confined racecourses, making for dramatic race action for spectators and sailors alike.
One of the most fiercely competitive and sought after trophies in all of sport, the first America’s Cup race was in 1851, 45 years before the modern Olympics. An American yacht named ‘America’ won, giving the international sailing competition its name.
This year Luna Rossa is competiting against New Zealand on the later’s home turf making it ever more challenging and exciting to watch.
Who are the Triestini on board?
Vasco Vascotto, a hometown hero, born in Muggia and raised in Trieste, he’s always the one to win Barcolana (if he’s not busy competing on the other side of the world). Vascotto has more medals under his belt than all sailors on the boat, however he is not racing this time but is guiding the team from the shore.
Nicholas Brezzi Villi, 28 years old, started sailing as a kid and moved on to rowing as a teenager. In 2010 he won the European Championship with the Italian team. 12 times an Italian campion, in 2016 Brezzi went back to sailing and won Barcolana two years in a row. In Luna Rossa he is a grinder.
Andrea Tesei, 29 years old, became a sailing champion in 2015 and got a bronze medal in 2017 during the European sailing Championship. An Olympian, Tesei covers the role of mainsail trimmer.
You can cheer on the team and follow the Cup here.
