Great show off the coast of Sardinia between the Amerigo Vespucci training ship and Luna Rossa, the legendary sailboat that participates in international competitions. The Amerigo Vespucci is the jewel of the Italian Navy named after the navigator from whom the new continent takes its name. And Luna Rossa aims to conquer the America's Cup, the top sailing competition, the oldest sports trophy in the world.
Show in the waves
Two excellences that met and greeted each other in Gulf of Angels along the Cagliari coast, already on a summer day, to the amazement of those who, still on the boat, managed to get close to and follow the event. A real show in 'few waves' from the headquarters of the Italian team that will try to take away the crown of queen of the waters from New Zealand. Definitely a historic meeting. The prototype launched last October in Cagliari circled several times around the older "colleague" with the sails unfurled as a sign of greeting. The last time the two Italian excellences of the sea met was 21 years ago in New Zeland.
On board the ship launched in 1931 in Castellammare di Stabia, guests of the commander Luigi Romagnoli, the sailors of the team that in 2024 will try to bring theAmerica's Cup, led by skipper and team director Max Sirena. Together, the crews of Vespucci and Luna Rossa hoisted the sails. The Italian queen of boats sailed ahead of Cagliari in all its glory. Another group of sailors was, however, aboard Luna Rossa. The boat of the world challenges approached the Vespucci at a speed of about 25 knots; slower the historic sailing boat of the Navy, about six knots.
Amerigo Vespucci and Luna Rossa
About ten laps around the ship. “A way to say goodbye – said the commander Romagnoli – in view of our respective commitments. In fact, the Vespucci is preparing to go around the world". Sirena was also radiant: “Two boats that will experience great adventures” said the skipper from Rimini but now from Cagliari by adoption; in the Sardinian capital he bought a house and also received honorary citizenship. “A way to exchange greetings – he underlined – We are training every day and every day we try something new. Then it will be the race course to tell the truth”. The famous training ship will continue to sail the seas for an almost two-year round-the-world tour. For Luna Rossa still training in Cagliari, then the hooligans of World Series in Spain and Saudi Arabia, next fall, before the 2024 edition of theAmerica's Cup which will take place in Barcelona.
(Photo Facebook Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team)
