The 12th and final team to join the most exciting racing on water ahead of the 2025 Season has been revealed today – the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team hits the startline this weekend at the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix, presented by P&O Marinas (November 23-24, 2024).
Led by SailGP star Jimmy Spithill as CEO & Founder, double Olympic Gold Medalist Ruggero Tita will drive for Red Bull Italy SailGP Team. Two-time bronze medalist, and recent Women’s America’s Cup Winner, Giulia Fava will step into the role of strategist, and Andrea Tesei, Italian National Champion, takes on the highly-complex position of flight controller. The new Italian team also boasts a star-studded lineup of experienced SailGP athletes, including three-time SailGP champion, Kyle Langford, who made a surprise departure from Australia to join the Italian crew. Alex Sinclair has also followed former driver and CEO Spithill to Italy, joining grinders Matteo Celon and Enrico Voltolini – both with extensive high-performance and America’s Cup race experience – to complete the roster. Coaching the team is veteran SailGP Championship winning coach, Philippe Presti.
Red Bull Italy SailGP Team’s CEO & Founder Jimmy 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 Italy 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.”
SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts said: “Today marks an exciting milestone heading in this weekend’s season-opener - the full reveal of our 12th and final national team for the 2025 Season. Italy is a proud sailing nation with a deeply-rooted history in sport. Together with Red Bull – one of the world’s most iconic sporting brands – we know this team will usher in an exciting new era, bringing Italians fans closer to the action than ever before. Ruggero, Giulia and the wider line-up represent some of the top talent in the sailing world, adding to a championship that boasts the very best athletes, competing year-round in an exciting, dynamic format.”
Today’s announcement was made at a launch event at the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team base in Dubai, together with highly-talented team of Red Bull athletes, including aerobatic paraglider Horacio Llorens, breakdancer Alessandra Chillemi, freestyle footballer Sean Garnier and BMX biker Viki Gomez. Guests were treated to a guest chaser experience as the team hit the water for the very first time in their own F50 catamaran.
The Red Bull Italy SailGP Team’s journey to the startline began when Spithill announced his intention to form a new Italian team upon his exit from the U.S. SailGP Team last year. Italy is the second new nation to join the global racing championship, alongside the Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team, who will also race for the very first time in Dubai.
Italian fans can watch SailGP’s high-speed action this weekend on Sky Italia – named the official broadcast partner of SailGP in Italy. A long standing partner of the global racing league, the renewed partnership will air all events as well as highlights and will feature SailGP’s behind-the-scenes docuseries made in partnership with Rolex, Racing on the Edge.
The Italian team’s home debut will take place on the historic waterfront of Taranto in the Puglia region of Italy, September 6-7, 2025. The ROCKWOOL Italy Sail Grand Prix is the league’s third visit to the city, and the second time with ROCKWOOL as Title Partner. Sky Italia will also include live linear coverage of SailGP’s return to Taranto. Tickets for the event will go on sale from December 11, 2024. Fans are encouraged to sign up now for pre-sale access at SailGP.com/Taranto.
SailGP’s 2025 Season begins this weekend, unfolding over two action-packed days of racing on the pristine waters of P&O Marina’s Port Mina Rashid. The Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix is set to be a flagship event on the Middle East sporting calendar – the third time SailGP has visited the city. Remaining tickets are available for purchase at SailGP.com/dubai.