
The two-time America's Cup winner returns to one of the world's most spectacular sailing events after nearly two decades, leading a special Red Bull crew and celebrating the passion that makes the Barcolana unique.
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# ⛵ Jimmy Spithill Celebrates the Magic of Barcolana 58: America's Cup Legend Returns to Trieste
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**The two-time America's Cup winner returns to one of the world's most spectacular sailing events after nearly two decades, leading a special Red Bull crew and celebrating the passion that makes the Barcolana unique.**
# 🌊 Jimmy Spithill makes a spectacular return to Barcolana
The 58th edition of the Barcolana, held on October 11, 2026, in the Gulf of Trieste, welcomed one of the most recognizable figures in international sailing: Jimmy Spithill.
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The Australian champion, a two-time America's Cup winner and former Luna Rossa helmsman, returned to the famous Italian regatta after an absence of almost twenty years.
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His participation brought together the traditions of one of the world's largest sailing events and the experience of an athlete who has competed at the highest levels of professional sailing.
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Currently CEO and co-founder of the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team, Spithill led a special crew featuring professional sailors and digital content creators.
# 🚤 Red Bull assembles a unique sailing crew
Red Bull participated in Barcolana 58 with a dedicated yacht and a distinctive crew.
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Joining Spithill were Red Bull Italy SailGP Team athletes Jana Germani, Andrea Tesei, Phil Robertson and Mattia Camboni.
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The team also included Sara Stefanizzi, widely known as Kurolily, alongside digital creators Daniel Tarantello, known as Sinnaggagghiri, and Dani Gallo.
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The initiative combined professional sailing expertise with digital entertainment, creating an opportunity to introduce the sport to new audiences.
# 🏁 An extraordinary start among hundreds of yachts
One of the highlights of Spithill's participation came during the opening stages of the race.
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The Australian sailor executed an impressive start, positioning his yacht ahead of a substantial part of the fleet.
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Unlike the America's Cup or SailGP, where highly specialized racing boats compete in controlled environments, the Barcolana brings together an extraordinary variety of vessels.
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Professional sailors, amateur crews, large racing yachts and family boats share the same waters in a celebration of sailing.
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This unique atmosphere makes the event particularly appealing even to athletes accustomed to the world's most advanced racing technologies.
# ⚓ From the America's Cup to Barcolana: a remarkable sailing career
Jimmy Spithill has established himself as one of the leading personalities in modern competitive sailing.
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His achievements include two America's Cup victories and participation in some of the most memorable contests in the competition's history.
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One of his greatest accomplishments came in 2013, when Oracle Team USA completed a historic comeback against Emirates Team New Zealand.
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Spithill also played an important role in the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sailing program, strengthening his connection with Italian sailing.
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Today, his focus is on the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team, a project competing in the fast-paced international SailGP championship.
# 🚀 Technology and the next generation of sailors
During his visit to Trieste, Spithill reflected on the remarkable transformation of sailing over the past two decades.
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Foiling technology, carbon-fiber materials, advanced design systems and increasingly sophisticated equipment have changed how modern racing yachts perform.
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However, the Australian champion believes that one of the most significant developments concerns young sailors.
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Digital platforms now allow emerging athletes to study professional racing techniques, analyze maneuvers and learn directly from the world's leading competitors.
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These opportunities have accelerated the development of young talent and are helping to shape a new generation of highly skilled sailors.
# 🇮🇹 Italy prepares for SailGP and America's Cup Naples 2027
Spithill's appearance at Barcolana comes at an exciting moment for Italian sailing.
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The Red Bull Italy SailGP Team is preparing for the championship's upcoming Italian event, scheduled to take place in Rome/Ostia in September 2027.
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Meanwhile, Naples is preparing to host the 38th America's Cup, bringing international attention to the spectacular waters of the Bay of Naples.
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Although the two competitions follow different formats, both demonstrate the growing importance of Italy in international sailing.
# 🏆 Barcolana celebrates the universal appeal of sailing
Jimmy Spithill's participation added another memorable chapter to Barcolana's long history.
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His enthusiasm highlighted the unique ability of sailing to bring together world champions, recreational sailors and newcomers in a shared sporting experience.
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**From Trieste to Naples, Italy is preparing for an extraordinary period of international sailing, with major events showcasing both the traditions and the technological future of the sport.**
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For Spithill, returning to Barcolana was more than another race. It was an opportunity to rediscover the excitement of sailing among thousands of enthusiasts and celebrate a sport that continues to inspire generations around the world.
FAQ
Is this official event information?
No. AC Naples 2027 is an independent visitor guide. Official information should be checked on official America's Cup channels.


