Announcing the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team: the last nation declared before the 2025 Season Premiere
by SailGP 21 Nov 07:00 PST
Red Bull Italy will be helmed by two-time Olympic gold medalist Ruggero Tita as driver and Jimmy Spithill as CEO. The Italian team was presented with their helmets by Spanish aerobatic paragliding pioneer Horacio Llorens as part of the reveal © SailGP
Today marks the announcement of the 12th and final team set to join the thrilling racing scene ahead of the 2025 Season—the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team will debut this weekend at the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix, presented by P&O Marinas (November 23-24, 2024).
The team is spearheaded by SailGP luminary Jimmy Spithill as CEO & Founder, with double Olympic Gold Medalist Ruggero Tita serving as driver for the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team. Two-time bronze medalist and recent Women’s America’s Cup victor, Giulia Fava, will take on the role of strategist, while Andrea Tesei, an Italian National Champion, will manage the crucial position of flight controller.
The new Italian team boasts an impressive roster of seasoned SailGP athletes, including three-time SailGP champion Kyle Langford, who made a surprising switch from Australia to join the Italian squad. Alex Sinclair has also joined Tita in Italy, alongside grinders Matteo Celon and Enrico Voltolini, both of whom bring significant high-performance and America’s Cup racing expertise to the lineup. Veteran SailGP Championship coach Philippe Presti will guide the team.
Jimmy Spithill, CEO & Founder of Red Bull Italy SailGP Team, expressed: “I’ve had the privilege of living in and competing for Italy multiple times throughout my career. I’ve witnessed the immense talent emerging from this remarkable country. Simultaneously, I’ve been amazed by the passion and loyalty of the Italian sports fans, and I have no doubt they will be out in full support for Ruggero and the team. We’ve put together a wonderful combination of seasoned experience and emerging talent: I can’t wait to see them race!”
Driver Ruggero Tita remarked: “As an Italian sailor, it’s a great honor to be the driver for the first Italian team in this global racing championship. We have a highly talented group of athletes behind us, who are eager to embrace this challenge, and we aim to make a strong initial impact during the races at the 2025 season opener in Dubai this weekend. We’re also excited to compete at home in front of our Italian fans in September 2025.”
SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts stated: “Today signifies a thrilling milestone as we head into this weekend’s season-opener – the complete reveal of our 12th and final national team for the 2025 Season. Italy represents a proud sailing nation with a deep-rooted history in sports. Partnering with Red Bull—one of the most iconic brands in sports—we are confident this team will usher in an exhilarating new chapter, allowing Italian fans to engage with the action like never before. Ruggero, Giulia, and their esteemed colleagues embody some of the best talent in the sailing world, contributing to a championship that features top athletes racing year-round in an exciting, dynamic format.”
The announcement was made during a launch event at the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team’s base in Dubai, featuring an impressive lineup of Red Bull athletes, including aerobatic paraglider Horacio Llorens, breakdancer Alessandra Chillemi, freestyle footballer Sean Garnier, and BMX rider Viki Gomez. Attendees enjoyed a unique experience as the team took to the water for the first time in their very own F50 catamaran.
The Red Bull Italy SailGP Team’s journey to the start line began when Spithill revealed his intent to create a new Italian team following his departure from the U.S. SailGP Team last year. Italy is the second new nation to join the global racing circuit, alongside the Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team, which will also race for the first time in Dubai.
Italian fans can catch SailGP’s high-speed action this weekend on Sky Italia—now the official broadcast partner for SailGP in Italy. A long-standing partner of the global racing league, the renewed alliance will showcase all events as well as highlights and include behind-the-scenes docuseries produced in collaboration with Rolex, titled Racing on the Edge.
The Italian team’s home debut will occur on the scenic waterfront of Taranto in Italy’s Puglia region, on September 6-7, 2025. The ROCKWOOL Italy Sail Grand Prix marks the league’s third visit to the city and the second time with ROCKWOOL as Title Partner. Sky Italia will also offer live coverage of SailGP’s return to Taranto. Tickets for the event will go on sale on December 11, 2024. Fans are encouraged to register now for exclusive pre-sale access at SailGP.com/Taranto.
SailGP’s 2025 Season kicks off this weekend, featuring two electrifying days of racing on the pristine waters of P&O Marina’s Port Mina Rashid. The Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix will stand out as a premier event on the Middle Eastern sporting calendar—marking SailGP’s third visit to the city.
Check out SailGP’s How to Watch webpage to discover how to view the season opener.
