Luna Rossa’s Americas Cup Journey Sparks Local Sailing Boom and Global Viewership
This has been the topic of these past few weeks and will continue to be so from February 19th. Luna Rossa is drawing quite a crowd even along the shores of Carda, a land of hoteliers and sailors, but never before have people been talking with terminology that until yesterday was unknown. “Overluffed”, “hoist the mainsail”, “beating” are words and phrases now part of everyday conversations, at the bar as well as at school, in the workplace as well as on the street. The redness in the eyes of the next day will require another ten days or so, but it’s a safe bet that for the final of the America’s Cup, TV viewers will surpass the record of 3 million, set last Saturday.
Sporting activities and expectations
Among the sailing clubs of Lower Sarca, some have already organized for the Louis Vuitton Cup, for the head-to-head between De Angelis and Cayard, while others are exploring options for the challenge against the New Zealanders. Along Lake Garda, sailing is very passionate, especially when two “Lakeside” sailors like Ciccio Celon and Carlo Bonetti are among the protagonists, but there could have been another, entirely Trentino-based.
On Prada’s boat, the Olympic champion Gianni Torboli was supposed to be present, but “… the offered pay, about three million euros a month, was too low. I would have loved to, very much, but it didn’t work out. I know everyone well, especially Ciccio Celon, with whom I participated in the Atlanta Olympics, and Torben Grael, a man always available to everyone.
Our adventure with the Soling was not among the most exciting, but he remains a great sailor, one of Luna Rossa’s key members. If we could bring the America’s Cup to Italy, it would truly be the maximum, but beating the New Zealanders will not be easy. They have a bigger boat, with a lower mast, so in strong winds, above twenty knots, they are favored. Fingers crossed.
Local interest and participation
Even Bruno Ballardini, former president of Fraglia Vela Riva and current mayor of Rovereto, is among the enthusiasts who followed Luna Rossa’s events on TV. “Honestly, many times I delegated my son to follow the races, given the time, but beyond that I believe this success is truly incredible and important.” Honestly, I’ve already heard someone complain that sailing has overshadowed other sports a bit, but if we don’t seize moments like this…
I am very friends with Celon from the crew, as he was part of our team at the Olympics, and I think he is a modest guy and a true athlete. I also remember Cayard, whom we defeated convincingly, who previously stayed with us at the Fraglia, then filling the room to capacity at the Palacongressi, after competing with Moro in the America’s Cup final.
The successes of the Italian boat could effectively boost national and Garda sailing. This is the belief of the presidents of several local clubs, who are already mobilizing their contacts to host the protagonists as soon as possible.
“There is great interest,” — explained Amos Vacondio, president of Fraglia Vela Riva — “and this benefits sailing. In the last three races, many enthusiasts, about a hundred, gathered at our venue, and this also benefits the club.”
What changes? Perhaps a greater desire to sail, people will approach with increased interest, clubs will gain members, but the previous difficulties will remain. The America’s Cup happens because TV broadcasts make it a spectacle accessible to the masses and because there is an Italian boat. But it’s not always like that.
Sailing in the sea is watched by few people, it’s not like in a stadium, and if you want television coverage, you need to spend a lot of money. The Match Race format helps, but suitable venues are also needed, like our Garda or Lake Ledro, where we will organize an important women’s regatta.
Franco Santoni, president of Circolo Vela Torbole, is already ready to invite the Luna Rossa crew. “My son Silvio is very good friends with Grael, who won the Euro in 1996 here, and we are planning to invite the whole crew for a big celebration.”
