Luna Rossa and the strange case of “brains returning” from Oracle

Patrizio Bertelli is unfazed by the Protocol that will govern the 35th America’s Cup (peppered with advantages and concessions to the defender Oracle ) and launches his fifth challenge to conquer the Auld Mug, as the world’s most famous “jug” is called in the jargon. The Tuscan entrepreneur, the first Italian in history to be inducted into the America’s Cup Hall of Fame, thus equals Sir Thomas Lipton’s number of appearances. Today the entire entourage with which Luna Rossa will take part in the Cup campaign was officially presented: base in Cagliari, colors of Circolo della Vela Sicilia, first Series with the AC45, then the final phase with the new AC62s in 2017. Confirmed Max Sirena as team leader, Checco Bruni as helmsman and tactician, and many others. There is one thing that is striking though: it may be that Larry Ellison and Russell Coutts, for the past few years, are no longer sympathetic to anyone, but there has been a real “brain drain” from Oracle to Luna Rossa, both in the sailing and design teams.

WHO RETURNS (AND ARRIVES FOR THE FIRST TIME) FROM ORACLE
Beginning with Shannon Falcone: the Livorno native, class of ’81 (but moved to Antigua when he was only three years old) had begun his Cup sailing career in 2007 with Luna Rossa, then moved to Oracle in the 2010 and 2013 editions. Now, after he has raised the “jug” to the sky twice, he is serving patron Bertelli in the role of grinder and bowman. Another welcome return is represented by Gilberto “Gillo” Nobili., who in 2003 was called on Luna Rossa by Romolo Ranieri and took part in the 2003 and 2007 campaigns, passing with the Yankees and also winning the 2010 and 2013 editions: the 40-year-old from Castelnovo ne’ Monti (RE) will fill the role of grinder, athletic trainer (physically he is a “beast”!) and analyze the catamaran’s performance. In terms of design, it also returns home. Mario Caponnetto, a Genoese naval architect born in ’61 who with Oracle had been a key member of the team in both rigid wing design and CFD (Computational Fluid Design) in the victorious 2010-2013 campaigns, after serving Luna Rossa from 2004 to 2007. He was closely followed by his student Michele Stroligo, a 30-year-old from Trieste on the Yankee design team for the 2013 campaign in CFD, the same for which he was hired by Bertelli. Another “former” of Larry Ellison and Russell Coutts is Simeon Tienpont, a Dutchman who will be in charge of the boat, grinder and bowman.

THE CONFIRMATIONS.
As anticipated, the leadership of the team will be entrusted to. Max Sirena whose ability, according to Bertelli, to “know how to manage relationships with his collaborators: he understands the logic and issues of each area of the team and stands on equal footing with all his stakeholders,” is crucial, not to mention his ability to create teams. Francesco “Checco” Bruni will be there, this time most likely in the role of starting helmsman and tactician, a role he shares with another confirmed, Englishman Chris Draper, helmsman of the AC72 at the last America’s Cup. The other “renewals”: Pier Luigi De Felice as trimmer, Emanuele Marino as grinder and bowman, Marco Mercuriali as coach and training expert, Manuel Modena (trimmer, grinder and bowman), Marco Montis (grinder and athletic trainer) and Alister Richardson (wing trimmer).

THE “NEW ENTRY”

Among the “hot” and new names, Marcelino Botin‘s name pops up. That’s right, the one from the design firm Botin & Partners that churns out the best TP52s and who worked for the Kiwies at the 2007 Cup, as well as having designed the VOR70 Puma. For Luna Rossa, he will be the chief designer. Solid security. As naval architect, Martin Fischer, the “guru” of foils, was recruited. From his pencil came the recent GC32 and Flying Phantom, just to name a few of his creations. Speaking of flying boats: there will also be Bora Gulari, the Turkish-born American champion and two-time world champion on the Moth. In his first Cup campaign, he will study the boat’s performance. Another great of fast sailing could not be absent: Pietro Sibello, one of the world’s strongest helmsmen on the 49er, in the role of wing coach and trimmer. The other new entries are Benjamin Durham (sailing team coordinator) and Adam Minoprio (helmsman, tactician and wing trimmer).

HERE TO FIND IN DETAIL THE TEAM AND ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT LUNA ROSSA’S CHALLENGE AT THE 35TH AMERICA’S CUP: Luna Rossa at the 35th America’s Cup.

WATCH THE VIDEO PRESENTATION OF RED MOON