The IVF has chosen: Tita-Banti at the Olympics. What about the America’s Cup?

Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti are the Italian crew officially selected in the Nacra 17 class to participate in the Paris Olympics, Marseille for sailing. Together with them, DT Michele Marchesini has indicated for the ILCA 7 men’s single (former Laser) Lorenzo Brando Chiavarini(here our video interview with him and Laser Olympic bronze medalist Diego Romero); in the iQFOiL men’s Windsurfing the chosen Italian athlete is instead Nicolò Renna from Lake Garda. In the Women’s Windsurfing iQFOiL F, the indicated athlete is Marta Maggetti from Cagliari, Italy.

Tita, the Olympics and the America’s Cup.

The hottest names among those selected are undoubtedly Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti for several reasons, starting with the fact that they are the reigning Olympic gold medalists. However, there is not only this, since as known
Ruggero Tita is one of the helmsmen selected by Luna Rossa
ahead of the next America’s Cup, with Caterina Banti smelling like she could also be on the women’s America’s Cup roster.

Pay attention to the calendar, however, becausethe Olympics will be from July 26 to August 11, 2024, and from August 20 to 25 in Barcelona there will be the last Preliminary Cup Regatta before the Louis Vuitton Cup, the challenger selection for the America’s Cup, scheduled for August 29 to October 5.

Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti will have to devote a major part of the work in the months leading up to the Olympics to the Nacra 17 and not the Cup. Will Ruggero also be ready soon after to helm the AC 75 and Caterina to compete on the AC 40 if it is required? The mission is not impossible, but they will arrive at the rendezvous with only a few hours on the America’s Cup boats. However, let us not forget that we are talking about two super champions.

Ruggero Tita: “After the victory in Tokyo, I was asked a question: would I still participate in the Olympics? My response had been that I would only take part in another edition if I had a chance to compete for a medal again and be at my peak. I can confidently say that I feel able to do this.

Caterina Banti: “I am thrilled and honored to have been chosen to represent Italy at the Paris 2024 Games. This selection carries with it a burden of great responsibility, as the Olympics represent important values. Our goal was not simply to get selected, but to compete in the waters of Marseille with the goal of winning another medal.

Mauro Giuffrè