Marco Gradoni: “Goodbye Olympics, I’m doing the America’s Cup with Luna Rossa.”

“Goodbye 470, my dream is the America’s Cup.” Marco Gradoni, 19, a three-time Optimist world champion and the youngest athlete to win the Rolex World Sailor of the Year, was one of the great Olympic hopes of Italian sailing after he boarded the 470 double. He had also won, along with Alessandra Dubbini the World Junior Championship in 2021.

But he, to the Olympics, prefers the America’s Cup. And who knows, we may see him aboard the AC75 Luna Rossa as early as the next America’s Cup in Barcelona. They say that at the helm, on the simulator set up at the Cagliari base, he is the strongest of all. The Federvela loses a potential Olympic champion, but Luna Rossa gains an explosively talented young man (whose goal is to win the America’s Cup). Only time will tell if Marco has taken the right path.

About his life with Luna Rossa, Marco Gradoni himself told us in our interview.

Interview with Marco Gradoni, young star of Luna Rossa

– Tell us, how did the opportunity to join Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli come about?

It was a “birthday present.” I’m joking, but not entirely: on the day I turned 18, in fact, Max (Sirena, Skipper and Team Director of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, ed.) summoned me to Cagliari for a simulator test; I enjoyed it very much and he was also pleased, so he confirmed. The idea of joining Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli was a dream I had for a long time, and I am overjoyed to be part of the team.

– What precisely is your role within the team?

I am one of the helmsmen. I train on the LEQ12 prototype and the AC40. I hope to be at the helm for the Youth America’s Cup and I would also love to be able to make an “appearance” on the AC75 during the 37thAmerica’s Cup races, but the roles have not yet been defined: as they say in Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, it is the boat that chooses the crew…

– Which sailing teammates are you learning the most from?

Working in a team is a very different experience for me, both from a technical point of view and from a human and formative point of view: each of the people I work with, every day, teaches me something: of Jimmy Spithill, for example, I am struck by his ability to keep cool and calm in any situation; Checco Bruni has crazy experience and is an excellent leader; Umberto Molineris is of extraordinary skill and Andrea Tesei is a super technician, very precise…

– Olympic sailing chapter: has the run-up to Paris 2024 with the 470 been put on hold? Does the Olympic dream always remain alive or are you totally absorbed in the America’s Cup campaign?

At the moment I have put the 470 on standby to focus on Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and the upcoming America’s Cup: The Olympic dream is not as alive as it once was, but I don’t rule out that it could be rekindled again…

– Going back to your work in Cagliari, AC 40 or prototype, which of the two boats impressed you more and why?

Between the two I definitely choose the Prototype, first because we designed, built and developed it in-house, so it reflects and meets our needs, and then because it is more complex, more technological, more beautiful in every sense…

– Foil sailing or classic sailing, what does Marco Gradoni prefer?

I don’t have a preference; certainly sailing on foils is an extraordinary experience, perhaps the best I have ever had: we are talking about super technological, very fast, complex boats that give great excitement and satisfaction. In the end, though, I am a fan of both disciplines.

– Your sports dream today?

Winning the Youth America’s Cup and helping the team win the 37th America’s Cup.

– Are you more tense when you are at the helm of Luna Rossa or when playing “Magical” Rome?

I am certainly more tense when Roma is playing. When I am at the helm of Luna Rossa I am relaxed: I feel the responsibility of my role, but it is my job, something I have knowledge and mastery of. Of course there is a lot of adrenaline, I feel the pressure, but I don’t experience these moments with anxiety, because this is something that I feel is mine and that I have control over. When Roma plays, however, there is nothing I can do but watch and hope….

Mauro Giuffrè and Eugenio Ruocco