Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo M600

Europe's Most Advanced Sailing Academy Launches with Spectacular Opening in Monfalcone, Italy

by Fabian Ress 6 Jul 05:53 PDT 5 July 2025
previous next
  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7

Marina Monfalcone, North Italy, made waves yesterday, as sports superstars gathered to open the Red Bull Sailing Academy, marking 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-packed displays, celebrating this milestone moment for sailing and water sports.

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.

A couple of thousand guests explored the Academy and enjoyed a full day of activities, including a cliff diving show, slackline performances, waterski and wakeboard demonstrations, and more. Visitors had the chance to experience the facility up close, meet the athletes, and learn about the programs that will run throughout the year. A Wall of Fame inside the Academy drew particular interest, showcasing some of Red Bull Sailing's biggest achievements to date - and leaving space for future superstars to add their own trophies and milestones. Past successes serving as a powerful motivation for the next generation.

About the Academy

The Red Bull Sailing Academy represents a long-term commitment to the sport, offering world-class facilities and tailored programs to help aspiring sailors progress to the highest levels of competition, including SailGP and the America's Cup. Unlike traditional sailing schools, the Academy operates as an international talent identification and performance development center, with a particular focus on Olympic disciplines.

Athletes who join the Academy receive comprehensive support ranging from high-level coaching by former Olympic medalists - including Hans Peter Steinacher (AUT), Santiago Lange (ARG), Roman Hagara (AUT/high performance coach of the Austrian Sailing Federation), and Thomas Zajac (AUT/Olympic bronze medalist) - to equipment testing, logistics, and performance planning. The program also integrates physical and mental performance support in partnership with the Red Bull Athlete Performance Center.

In addition to sailing, the Academy also provides dedicated development pathways for disciplines such as kite- and windfoiling, supporting the full spectrum of sailing and wind sports.

For aspiring young sailors and beginners, Marina Monfalcone continues to offer the Scuola Vela Tito Nordio sailing school, which remains open to the wider public.

Related Articles

Ted Gersen joins Palm Beach Motor Yachts
Expanding Newport, Rhode Island presence with Industry Sales Veteran Continuing its expansion and focus on customer experience, Palm Beach Motor Yachts is excited to announce that yacht sales professional Ted Gersen has joined the company's Newport, Rhode Island team. Posted on 29 Jul
Antares 12 Coupe: a cruiser for all seasons
Asserting its position as a versatile family cruiser Faithful to the Antares line, the Antares 12 Coupe asserts its position as a versatile family cruiser, designed to accompany you on long passages, across all latitudes. Posted on 29 Jul
Airship | Funter Bay to Flynn Cove
Lots of fishing boats out today, as well as a few Dall's porpoises who surfed our bow for a bit We leisured late this morning in Funter Bay and didn't leave until after 11am. Another gorgeous, sunny day! We watched the F1 race and then pulled our anchor and headed out into the mostly glassy Icy Strait toward Flynn Cove. Posted on 29 Jul
Airship | Juneau to Funter Bay
We'll be buddy boating a bit over the next week or more with Dave on Turnagain We'll be buddy boating a bit over the next week or more with Dave on Turnagain, now joined by his brother Kyle. Posted on 28 Jul
Debut of the Picnic Boat 39
A new icon joins the fleet We invented the Picnic Boat. And we've never stopped perfecting it. The new Hinckley Picnic Boat 39 is a masterpiece of timeless design and modern ingenuity. Posted on 27 Jul
Prestige F4.3 - a new model for Cannes
A unique entry into the world of high-end yachting Experience the elegance and refinement of the new generation of the F-Line aboard the PRESTIGE F4.3. The quality of materials, fit and finish, interior and exterior design, functionality. Posted on 25 Jul
Four Winns debuts TH33 and TH38 power catamarans
Engineered to transform boating experiences into refined escapes Engineered to transform boating experiences into refined escapes, the new Four Winns TH33 and TH38 set a new standard for power catamarans of its size as the latest addition to its TH (Twin Hull) Series, launched in 2023. Posted on 24 Jul
Helping boaters steer clear of common mistakes
Veteran Sea Tow® captains share their tips Boating season is already in full throttle, and Sea Tow®, recognized throughout the marine industry as Your Road Service at Sea®, is proud to offer boating tips to avoid some of the most common mistakes seen on the water. Posted on 24 Jul
Airship | Ford's Terror to Wood Spit
We slept in again this morning at Ford's Terror We slept in again this morning at Ford's Terror, and then Taylor made a super yum breakfast taco bar...scrambled eggs, hash browns, Jerry's double-smoked bacon, tomatillo cream sauce, etc.... Posted on 24 Jul
Harris Boats unveils new Sunliner & Sunliner Sport
A bold evolution in Pontoon design Harris Boats, a leader in luxury pontoon craftsmanship and a Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) brand, has announced the launch of the completely redesigned Sunliner and the debut of the dynamic Sunliner Sport. Posted on 23 Jul
Maritimo M600Palm Beach Motor Yachts