Red Bull Italy SailGP Team brings star power and high expectations as Olympic champions, America’s Cup winners, and world-class talent form a powerhouse team.
Thursday, November 21, 2024 – Dubai, UAE – The wait is over: Red Bull Italy SailGP Team has officially been unveiled as the 12th and final nation to join the 2025 Season of SailGP. Italy enters the fast-paced sailing series for the first time with an ambitious roster, making their race debut this weekend at the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix, presented by P&O Marinas (November 23-24).
Under the leadership of SailGP and America’s Cup star Jimmy Spithill, Team CEO & Founder, the freshly formed squad assembles an experienced lineup to vie for one of sailing’s toughest titles. At the helm is Ruggero Tita, two-time Olympic gold medalist and reigning Nacra 17 Olympic champion. Fresh from co-helming for Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli alongside Spithill in the America’s Cup, Tita now brings his championship pedigree to the SailGP circuit for the first time. Giulia Fava, recent winner of the first-ever Women’s America’s Cup and two-time World bronze medalist, steps in as the team’s strategist alongside Andrea Tesei, a seasoned sailor with America’s Cup credentials, who oversees flight control, a critical position in the F50 catamarans which reach speeds of over 100 km/h.
A standout on the roster is Kyle Langford, a three-time SailGP champion who made a surprise move from Team Australia to join the Italian crew. Rounding out the onboard lineup are grinders Matteo Celon and Enrico Voltolini, both accomplished sailors with high-performance race experience, and Alex Sinclair, another key recruit from Spithill’s former US crew. Behind the scenes, veteran SailGP and America’s Cup-winning coach Philippe Presti is ready to steer the team to success.
Fans have been anticipating Italy’s entry to SailGP ever since Spithill announced his intentions last year to form a new Italian team. A longtime Red Bull athlete himself, Spithill’s mission is to inspire sailing and sports fans across Italy and beyond.
Spithill said: “I’ve been fortunate enough to both live in and compete for Italy multiple times in my career; I saw just how much talent is coming through this incredible country. At the same time, I was blown away by how passionate and loyal the Italian sports fans are, and have no doubt they will be out in big numbers supporting Ruggi and the team. We have assembled a fantastic mix of experience and next-generational talent: I can’t wait to see them on the race track!”
Red Bull ITA SailGP Team driver Ruggero Tita said: “As an Italian sailor, it’s an honor to join as driver for the first Italian team in this global racing championship. We have a remarkably talented group of athletes behind us, who are incredibly excited to take on this challenge and we plan to make a positive initial impression during racing at the 2025 season opener in Dubai this weekend. We’re also looking forward to racing at home in front of Italian fans in September 2025.”
The Red Bull Italy SailGP Team made the official announcement today at their Dubai base, with an impressive reveal that saw acro-paraglider Horacio Llorens deliver the team’s racing helmets from the sky. Guests were entertained by performances, including breakdancer Alessandra Chillemi, freestyle footballer Sean Garnier, and BMX rider Viki Gomez, before being treated to an exclusive first glimpse of the team’s F50.
Headquartered in Marina Monfalcone, close to the historic sailing city of Trieste, Red Bull Italy SailGP Team will make their home water debut next year in Taranto, Puglia, at the ROCKWOOL Italy Sail Grand Prix on September 6-7, 2025. Tickets for the event will go on sale from December 11, 2024, and fans can sign up for pre-sale access at SailGP.com/Taranto.
With 12 competing nations, and 14 events across five continents, SailGP’s Fifth Season is shaping up to be the most action-packed yet. The 2025 Season kicks off this weekend at the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix, with two days of high-speed racing you won’t want to miss.
Find out how to watch the season opener at SailGP’s How to Watch page. Italian fans can watch SailGP’s high-speed action on Sky Italia – named the official broadcast partner of SailGP in Italy. Sky Italia will air all events as well as highlights and will feature SailGP’s behind-the-scenes docu series, Racing on the Edge.
Italian fans can watch SailGP’s high-speed action on Sky Italia – named the official broadcast partner of SailGP in Italy. Sky Italia will air all events as well as highlights and will feature SailGP’s behind-the-scenes docu series, Racing on the Edge.
RED BULL ITALY SAILGP TEAM – BOILER PLATE
Red Bull Italy SailGP Team is Italy’s long-awaited entry into SailGP, the pinnacle of high-performance sail racing. Led by CEO & Founder Jimmy Spithill, a SailGP favorite and America’s Cup champion, and driven by Italy’s double Olympic gold medalist Ruggero Tita, the team brings world-class experience and rising talent to the SailGP circuit. Joining forces with Red Bull, one of the world’s most recognizable sports brands, the team is set to inspire fans across Italy and beyond as they compete in SailGP’s groundbreaking format of fast-paced, F50 catamaran racing. Learn more about the team here.
Follow Red Bull Italy SailGP Team on social:
IG @redbullitasailgp
TikTok: @redbullitasailgp
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