Please select your home edition
Edition
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic Range

Young Azzurra select two further team members following training in Porto Cervo

by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda 30 Oct 2020 14:08 GMT
Young Azzurra training in Porto Cervo © Marcello Chiodino / YCCS

Young Azzurra, the Under-25 foiling team representing the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, sailed for the first time in their home waters this week. At the end of the training session, Francesca Bergamo and Erica Ratti were officially confirmed as crew members.

After a win and two second places sailing in the Persico 69F Cup on fresh water in Lago di Garda, Young Azzurra sailed on the sea for the first time becoming the first foiling boat to have "flown" on their home waters off Porto Cervo.

The six-day training session, coordinated by coach Enrico Zennaro and based at the YCCS Sports Centre, proved useful and in part took place together with Dutch Team Orange, another team formed to compete in the Youth America's Cup challenge. That event was subsequently suspended in light of entry restrictions for New Zealand due to the pandemic.

Young Azzurra's training week had been scheduled to address several objectives: from foiling at sea, where the waves have a significant impact, to further observations to define the crew members of Young Azzurra in view of the team's 2021 engagements in the Persico 69F Cup and other international initiatives to be defined.

"We are pleased to have sailed in Porto Cervo" coach Enrico Zennaro emphasised, "the weather came to our aid with exceptional conditions, making this a very productive session. I must commend the crew's attitude, they are demonstrating exceptional commitment and dedication."

At the conclusion of the training sessions, Francesca Bergamo and Erica Ratti were officially confirmed as team members, joining skipper Ettore Botticini and flight controller Federico Colaninno. The two girls, who had already raced successfully with the crew during previous legs of the Persico 69F Cup, will alternate on board in the role of mainsail trimmer.

Ettore Botticini: "We are particularly happy to have gotten our introduction to salt water in Porto Cervo, the home of Young Azzurra. We were able to manage the boat well from day one, despite the waves and gusts, which was not at all simple. Along the coast the wind was much more gusty than what we had encountered on Lake Garda, while further out, with one metre-high waves, we found new ways of navigating. Thanks to the presence of the Dutch team, the training was mutually beneficial, we learned a lot from each other. Finally, I'd like to officially welcome Francesca and Erica, their place on the team is absolutely deserved."

Francesca Bergamo, from Trieste, was born in 1997, boasts 2 European and 4 Italian championships in the Optimist, Laser 4.7 and Laser Radial classes. In 2016 she started helming the 49er FX Olympic with the aim of qualifying for the games in Tokyo. She entered the observation programme to define Young Azzurra's crew at its very outset.

"I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to be part of this project, I think it is worth its weight in gold." she commented. "It is an opportunity not to be missed, so I have put my Olympic campaign to one side. In Porto Cervo we really felt welcomed to our home and for me, being from Trieste, returning to the sea and the waves was a special feeling. We still have a lot to work on, but this first session at sea was a great starting point, I can't wait to get back on the boat and I'm excited for the future."

Erica Ratti was born in Rome in 1998. Among her many victories 2 Italian championships stand out, one in the 420 Class Under 16 and the other at the CICO 2017 at the helm of the mixed Nacra 17 catamaran. The Nacra marked the start of her experience in foiling, which now continues with Young Azzurra aboard the Persico 69F.

"I would like to thank the YCCS for the welcome we received in Porto Cervo and for the opportunity offered to me and my Young Azzurra teammates to take part in an international foiling programme. After my injury in August 2019 I had feared having to leave competitive sailing, this new opportunity is a dream for me!" said Ratti.

For more information or to schedule interviews with YCCS management or members of the Young Azzurra team please contact the YCCS press office.

Related Articles

Swan One Design Worlds 2025 concludes
35 yachts, 30 nations, 4 dynamic classes – a celebration of racing, connection, and ClubSwan spirit The 2025 Swan One Design Worlds, the flagship event of the ClubSwan Racing Nations League, concluded today in Porto Cervo after an unforgettable week that brought together 35 yachts across four one-design classes and over 30 nations. Posted on 21 Jun
The Nations League Swan One Design Worlds overall
Earlybird clinches ClubSwan 50 World Championship title The Porto Cervo leg of The Nations League - Swan One Design Worlds, an event organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda with ClubSwan Racing, drew to a close today. Posted on 21 Jun
The Nations League Swan One Design Worlds day 3
Mistral makes for a perfect day The Mistral arrived in Porto Cervo as forecast and starting procedures began on schedule at 1 p.m. on both race courses. From an initial 10 knots, the wind built to reach 18 knots during the second race of the day, shifting progressively to the left. Posted on 20 Jun
The Nations League Swan One Design Worlds day 2
Light winds push race courses near the island of Caprera Leaders of the provisional classification are: Earlybird (ClubSwan 50), Mamao (ClubSwan 36), Nadir (ClubSwan 42) and Swing (ClubSwan 28) Posted on 20 Jun
The Nations League Swan One Design Worlds day 1
Spectacular racing off Porto Cervo The Nations League - Swan One Design Worlds, a regatta organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda together with ClubSwan Racing, got under way on schedule this morning at 12 midday CEST. Posted on 18 Jun
Swan One Design Worlds kicks off
Practice race and opening ceremony in Costa Smeralda The crystal waters of the Costa Smeralda once again set the stage for one of the most anticipated events in the international racing calendar: the 2025 Swan One Design Worlds, hosted by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in collaboration with ClubSwan Racing. Posted on 18 Jun
The Nations League Swan One Design Worlds day 0
A practice race was held for all classes today The Nations League - Swan One Design Worlds, a regatta organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in conjunction with ClubSwan Racing, will get under way tomorrow, 18 June, with the first warning signal for racing scheduled for 12 noon. Posted on 17 Jun
100 people take part in 8th YCCS Clean Beach Day
The event is part of the club's commitment to raising awareness on sustainability The YCCS Clean Beach Day was held this morning, now a regular fixture on the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda's calendar of events, and part of a series of initiatives promoting sustainability and raising awareness of marine conservation. Posted on 4 Jun
Southern Wind Rendezvous overall
A Perfect Conclusion to a Perfect Event The horn sounded right on time for the fourth day of the Southern Wind Rendezvous and Trophy. Blue skies, warm sun, and 6-7 knots of breeze with gusts up to 10 knots accompanied the fleet on a 15-mile course rounding Monaci and Secca Tre Monti. Posted on 1 Jun
Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta overall
Southern Wind 100 Agapi Mas awarded the Willy Persico Trophy The 2025 edition of the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta and the Southern Wind RendezVous concluded today with another outstanding day of racing. The event is organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda with the support of title sponsor Giorgio Armani. Posted on 31 May