America's Cup: "The boat [AC75] is going to be a beast" - Jimmy Spithill
by Fabian Ress, Red Bull Media 15 Mar 2018 00:34 PDT
15 March 2018
Jimmy Spithill is back with Luna Rossa and racing on their TP52 © Carlo Borlenghi
Team Luna Rossa Challenge has announced that, Australian skipper and helmsman Jimmy Spithill, will be on board Italy’s campaign for the 36th America’s Cup.
The partnership marks a reunion: Spithill previously helmed Luna Rossa Challenge to the Louis Vuitton Cup Finals in the 2007 America’s Cup before going on to take back-to-back America’s Cup wins with Oracle Team USA.
With his unique sports and technical expertise on high-performance sailing boats, and leading successful teams, Spithill brings experience and depth to Luna Rossa Challenge as they prepare for next edition of the sailing’s pinnacle event, to be held in Auckland, New Zealand in 2021.
Here, Spithill gives his first interview since the announcement, and shares his insights and expectations.
Jimmy, this is exciting stuff! You have a history with Luna Rossa Challenge, helming them to the Louis Vuitton Cup Finals at the America’s Cup in 2007. How does it feel to reunite with the team?
It’s great to be back with Luna Rossa Challenge – I have a lot of great memories from the four years we spent in Valencia during AC 32, and this time I have have been impressed with the tools, technology and people they have in place. It’s a great mix of experience, new energy and enthusiasm in an open environment – the makings of a great team.
Since your previous collaboration with Luna Rossa Challenge, over 10 years ago, you’ve skippered teams to victory in the America’s Cup in 2010 and 2013, before leading Oracle Team USA to the finals again in Bermuda last year, where Emirates Team New Zealand came away with the win. That’s a lot of experience and, presumably, a lot of learning that you bring to the table.
Of course as a competitor you’re always learning, and since the last race of AC 35, I’ve been thinking every day about the America’s Cup. Naturally, you go over the previous campaign piece by piece, focusing on all the key moments and decisions during the four years. Lately I’ve been able to understand how a lot of the other teams operated, and that in itself is very educational.
Any conclusions?
Ultimately, two things stood out for me: trusting my instincts is key, and the hunger has only gotten stronger.
And speaking of your past experiences, your collaboration with Oracle Team USA resulted in some iconic sailing moments. When you look back at it, what comes to mind?
What an amazing ride, with some amazing people. Without Larry Ellison and Russell Coutts, there is no way I could have gotten to this point in my career. I’m fortunate to have been able to work alongside some of the most successful people in sport and business, and lucky to be able to call them good mates. I look forward to catching up with them in the future.
It’s been announced that the boat for America’s Cup 36 is an AC75 monohull. First thoughts?
The boat is going to be a beast. It reminds me of America’s Cup 34 and the AC72 foiling catamarans. Nothing like this had been done before, and this boat is on the cutting edge of technology. There are a lot of unknowns with the AC75, which will push people to the limit and really challenge all the teams involved. However, this challenge and difficulty is really appealing, and I’m really excited to be back in the game.
And what are your thoughts about moving to Italy?
Last time with Luna Rossa challenge it was the Valencia campaign and we moved straight to Spain – this time I’m looking forward to living in Italy. Personally I’ve had a lot of success racing and competing in Italy, and lifestyle and especially the food are awesome! I love the Italian culture, the landscape and the people. I have to admit, though, that I will need to work on my Italian.
Speaking of the culture, time for some quickfire questions ...
Your favorite Italian dish? Margherita bufala.
Pasta or pizza? Both.
Your favorite gelato flavor? Stracciatella.
Can you swear in Italian? Exceptionally well!
Your favorite Italian phrase from what you can speak of the language so far? Va bene.
Your favorite Italian football team? Juventus.
Public transport or Ferrari? Ducati.
Editor’s Note: Jimmy Spithill’s highly anticipated, no-holds-barred book “Chasing the Cup: My America’s Cup Journey,” reveals the challenges and innate determination that have made him a successful sailor and an inspirational figure worldwide. Available now at retailers and online in hardcover and Kindle editions at Amazon.