Athlete Federico Pilloni joins the Young Azzurra programme

Federico Pilloni, a promising talent in the IQFoil class, has joined the Young Azzurra sporting programme. The project was founded by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda with the objective of supporting talented young sailors over the 2021/2024 Olympic campaign, who aim to take part in national, European and World Championships, as well as the Olympic Games.

Federico Alan Pilloni is the second athlete to be selected, and joins Cesare Barabino (ILCA 7 Class). Born in Cagliari in 2006, despite his young age he has already enjoyed significant national and international success with the IQFoil, which has been selected as an Olympic class starting from the 2024 Games in Paris, which Federico aims to qualify for.

He claimed victory in 2022 in the Under 19 category at the IQFoil Youth & Junior International Games in Campione sul Garda, Italy, and placed third in the Youth & Junior World Championship in Silvaplana, Switzerland. At national level, he won the Under 19 category in 2022 at the Italian Sailing Federation Championship for single-handed classes, on the IQFoil.

Federico, known as Freddy on the race courses and to his friends, discovered windsurfing at the age of just 9, during a summer camp at the renowned Poetto beach in Cagliari, a spot that is still among his favourites. Like all young windsurfers, he started out on the Techno 293, and his talent was immediately notable.

"For a young Sardinian athlete to be able to compete on international regatta courses flying the colours of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda is an incredible opportunity. I am proud to represent a name like Azzurra. While I was determined to do well before, now I feel a duty to repay the faith placed in me, I cannot wait to give my all to this new sporting adventure!" commented Federico.

From tomorrow and through 12th March, Federico will be competing in the IQFoil Games in Cadiz, Spain, before heading to Palma de Mallorca for the Princess Sofia Trophy from 31st March to 8th April. He will have a short break before the IQFoil Senior European Championship in Greece (8th-14th May) and the IQFoil Youth European Championship in Torbole, Italy (3rd-7th July). Towards the end of the year he will take part in the IQFoil Youth World Championship, the Italian Youth Championship and the Italian Olympic Classes Championship (CICO).

The selection of athletes for the Young Azzurra programme continues thanks to the collaboration with the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV), and Zone III (Sardinia) in particular.

Michael Illbruck, Commodore of the YCCS commented: "The Young Azzurra project is very important to us, and was created to support young athletes in their sporting and personal development. The name "Azzurra" is also very close to our hearts, thanks to a boat that made history in Italian sailing, the first Italian challenger for the America's Cup, whose 40th anniversary we will be celebrating in 2023. We hope to complete the group of Young Azzurra athletes with the inclusion of promising young female sailors."
For more information or to schedule interviews with YCCS management or members of the Young Azzurra team please contact the YCCS press office.