America's Cup: Luna Rossa's AC75 returns to Cagliari
by Luna Rossa and Sail-World.com/nz 2 Dec 03:13 PST
Luna Rossa have their talent identification and coaching program running - November 2025 © Luna Rossa
November began with the return of the AC75 Luna Rossa to Cagliari, welcomed at the base by the shore team and the design team.
The boat, which placed third at the 2024 America's Cup, will soon undergo modifications in preparation for the 38th America’s Cup.
Teams are allowed to start sailing their AC75s in mid-January 2026, with a limitation of 45 sailing days to the end of 2026.
Following the success of the Youth and Women Camps organized for the 37th America’s Cup, which trained the winners of the youth and women’s regattas in Barcelona, Luna Rossa has resumed its observation sessions dedicated to discovering new Italian sailing talents.
The Camps take place in Cagliari and include on-shore preparation as well as sea trials in the Gulf of Angels. The boats used are two AC40s, the same foiling one-designs selected for the preliminary regattas of the 2027 America’s Cup and for the youth and women’s events.
The first Camp was held in November, and more are scheduled for this winter.
The project is coordinated by Jacopo Plazzi, one of the team’s coaches, supported by Francesco “Checco” Bruni — former Luna Rossa helmsman and now in a technical role — and Simone Salvà, a highly experienced trainer, particularly in foiling classes.
They will be joined by Marco Mercuriali, Luna Rossa’s rule advisor since the team’s earliest challenges and one of the foremost experts on America’s Cup regulations.
"We have begun the process of identifying the best profiles for the upcoming Youth & Women’s America’s Cups, with the aim of strengthening the women’s group and creating the youth one from scratch", explains Jacopo Plazzi.
"For the team, it’s a double challenge. On one hand, we must form the mixed crew that will compete in the Preliminary Regattas in just a few months. On the other, we want to ensure continuity for the project. That’s why we aim to select not only the strongest individuals, but also those capable of working as a team over the long term, with a future-oriented mindset".
The Camp program includes sailing sessions led by the coaches mentioned above, simulator training to learn the technical functioning of the AC40, and on-shore theory lessons to study the relevant regulations.
Participants also become familiar with safety maneuvers and refine their foiling techniques, learning match-racing tricks from experienced champions on the team.