Red Bull Sailing Academy opens in Italy

Monfalcone is the northernmost point of the Adriatic Sea, it is a place of a certain choreography, where shipyards building large ships mingle with those dealing with pleasure boats. And, of course, there are marinas. Within the most important one, the Marina of Monfalcone, the Red Bull Sailing Academy was born, an initiative dedicated to the discovery and training of the world’s most talented sailors and their Olympic preparation.

“We do a lot of scouting, we choose who will be able to join the Academy,” says Hans Peter Steinhacher, general manager of the marina. “We want to choose and find real talent.” In other words, he implies, not just children of rich parents but people who prove themselves in the field. The initiative for the world’s top sailors will be flanked by a school for kids, intensive 10-day courses during the three summer months. – Full report

From Red Bull:
The Red Bull Sailing Academy marks the beginning of a new era in the sport. Designed to nurture the next generation of elite sailors, foil- and kitesurfers, the Academy aims to inspire future champions and create a pathway to the world’s most prestigious competitions.

Marina Monfalcone welcomed an impressive crowd of sailing fans and visitors who came to witness the launch of one of the most advanced training centers in Europe. Over the weekend, the waterfront and the shore became a playground for action-

The Red Bull Italy SailGP Team, which now calls Marina Monfalcone its home base, joined Italian Olympic gold medalist Ruggero Tita, sailing legend Jimmy Spithill, and Marina Monfalcone CEO Hans-Peter Steinacher to introduce the new facility and share their perspectives on how it will help the sport grow in Italy and beyond.

“What makes the Red Bull Sailing Academy so special is that we scout for talent globally, and together we follow the pathway to the top of the sport. The sport has evolved tremendously since 2013, when foiling changed everything, and here in the Bay of Trieste we have the ideal conditions to train at the highest level. Today we all enjoyed the opening event, and from tomorrow onwards it’s just hard work,” said Hans-Peter Steinacher, CEO of Marina Monfalcone.

Ruggero Tita, Olympic Gold Medalist, added, “It’s amazing to finally have this facility. The Red Bull Sailing Academy is something we’ve been waiting for a long time. You can see that it’s a place built by sailors, for sailors, and it will become a top-level performance centre. With names like Thomas Zajac, Santiago Lange, Roman Hagara, and Hans-Peter Steinacher sharing their experience here, it’s a unique opportunity for the next generation to learn from the best.”

“Something the sport has never had in my career is a true home base to come back to and train as a team. Usually, you’re always on the road competing but never have a place to return and reset. That’s what makes the Red Bull Sailing Academy here such a game changer – not just for SailGP athletes, but for the next generation of Olympic contenders and world champions. The facility in Marina Monfalcone really completes the entire picture, from foiling and kite surfing to health, wellness, and preparation,” said Jimmy Spithill, 2x America’s Cup Winner.