An unusual stillness reigns in Barceloneta. It's too early for some and too late for others; for a few, it's the ideal time for an early morning swim, or the unfortunate hour to go to work after the holidays. Amidst this calm, dozens of people move towards the docks, going even beyond the silhouette of the W Hotel, until they reach a warehouse of more than 4,000 square meters: it is the base of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, the Italian team that wants to win the America's Cup.
Inside the base, nothing remains of that calm. About 140 people work at Luna Rossa: many of them have been part of the team since the last edition of the America's Cup, held in 2021 in Auckland, while others have joined since then, as explained by the team's logistics manager, Giulio Giovanella. Those working at the base include, of course, the sailors from the total, women's, and youth categories, and also the essential engineers and designers on whom the boat they will sail depends, in a competition that is as nautical as it is technological.
"In the design team, we are a well-structured group that works collaboratively," says nautical engineer Gabriele di Trapani. In his second America's Cup, his main task focuses on the design of the jib: the triangular sail located in front of the mast. His task exemplifies the level of specialization of the members of the design team, although he emphasizes that his position "is somewhat multifaceted" and allows him to design and manage other components and projects.
Di Trapani likes to arrive early at the base: "My routine varies slightly depending on the phase of the competition, but generally I prefer to arrive early, organize daily tasks and dive straight into work, to ensure a productive day." And the days are long, often even going past dinner time. Fortunately, the base has "a well-organized kitchen that prepares delicious food: it's almost like eating at home."
The engineering team itself was in charge of designing the interior of the base. Equipped with photovoltaic panels on its roof, the spaces where the Italian team prepares include a gym, technical areas, and offices, in addition to the hospitality area and the Italian-inspired canteen and kitchen that Di Trapani likes so much. The base and the team's skill have evolved at the same time as its surroundings, which have undergone urban transformation in recent years, with the opening of the breakwater promenade, viewpoints, and the Nova Bocana. In recent weeks, the base has also gained connectivity: the brand-new nautical bus connects it in ten minutes with Drassanes from a station located a few meters from the base.
As with the engineers, the day also starts early for the sailors, with a morning training session that begins no later than eight-thirty. Then, breakfast: "Yogurt, fruit, and nuts," as Andrea Tesei, a team member, details. The routine is usually the same every day: after replenishing energy with a healthy breakfast, it's time for the theoretical session for the sailors, where they analyze information and data from their training to improve their performance and boat handling, as well as their communication.
And it is that communication among team members is key to trying to win what is known as the Auld Mug. Eight crew members go aboard the flying boats —technically known as AC75s—, and coordination among them must be as close as possible. Each one has their function, including handling the rudder and the unexpected task of pedaling: this is the case of the grinders, who are responsible for generating the hydraulic system's energy using rotating pedals. Tesei occupies the position of trimmer, who are dedicated to continuously adjusting the foils and sails, to adapt them to the wind and waves in order to move as fast as possible, at speeds that can reach 90 kilometers per hour.
Tesei and his teammates' daily sailing sessions last between three and four hours. They usually start shortly after noon, when the wind is most favorable for training —in fact, the competition races start at two in the afternoon. After the long session at sea, it's time to share impressions from the training: "We collect all feedback on sailing so that designers and coaches can help us improve the next day," says Tesei, who highlights that the racecourse in front of Barcelona "is very different from previous ones due to the type of waves." Faced with this challenge, "it will be very interesting to see the different design solutions adopted by the various teams."
The trimmer ends his day by cycling home. In his case, it's an accommodation he shares with team members, while other Luna Rossa members are settled with their families in their own accommodations. "Many of the team members moved to Barcelona with their families, and we selected accommodations depending on the specific needs of each one. In general, we are all well-positioned and not far from the base," details Giovanella.
The team's logistics manager values the dynamism of Barcelona, "a unique city, lively, cheerful, rich in history and culture and with a lifestyle that is not too different from the Italian one, which makes everything easier." Di Trapani shares his enthusiasm for the Catalan capital, which he had visited before but had never worked in: "It's the first time I experience the city from a professional perspective, and I believe we are working in one of the best cities in the world."
However, the enthusiasm is not such as to want to repeat in the city, as "in the America's Cup, it is the winner who sets the rules and organizes the next edition," as Tesei reminds. And what the Italians want is to win the competition and, of course, to dispute the next edition in Italy, as Di Trapani emphasizes: "Although I love Barcelona, I sincerely wish that the next America's Cup will be in Italy. Fingers crossed!"
And they do more than cross their fingers: after being the team that competed in the final against the New Zealanders in the last edition —with three Italian victories against seven for the Kiwis—, Luna Rossa knows very well what to do. "We are a team of professional sailors, many of us have several America's Cup campaigns behind us, so we know exactly what our job is and how to do it," claims the logistics manager for the Italians, who were second in a competition where formally there is no second place. "We are very satisfied with the team, the boat, and the R&D program, and now it's time to face our opponents."