Federico Colaninno, a former athlete of the Young Azzurra programme, is now part of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Youth team. He is currently in Barcelona for the Unicredit Youth America's Cup, racing on AC40 boats. 

How did you get to join Luna Rossa, probably the dream of every young Italian sailor?

I joined Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli about a year and a half ago through the selections for the youth team. It’s definitely the dream of every young Italian sailor, I'm happy to have been able to achieve it, with the hope of reaching an even more significant goal in the future.

What added value did your experience with the Young Azzurra team bring to achieving this goal?

The Young Azzurra team has certainly helped me a lot in getting where I am today. It was a fundamental step in my sporting career, and for that I thank the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, who allowed me to complete a fantastic campaign that I still remember today.

What is your role on the AC40 Luna Rossa? What are the roles on board?

I’m a trimmer on the AC40, I trim the sails, when we’re going upwind I trim the mainsail, when we’re sailing downwind, the jib. On the other side of the boat is another trimmer and in front we have a helmsman. At the moment the final crew for the Youth America's Cup hasn’t yet been selected, we are in the decision-making phase. 

Can you tell us about your first time on board the AC40? How did you feel before, during and after? 

The first time on board the AC40 was an indescribable emotion, I carry it with me. It was last summer, right here in Barcelona, along with Checco Bruni and Jimmy Spithill. It was a strong, unforgettable feeling.

When were you told that you would officially be part of the Youth team? How exciting was that?

I received the news that I would be part of the Youth team three to four months ago, it was the goal I had set myself, so it was very exciting. Now I’m fully concentrated on the competition.

Have you moved to Barcelona? What is a typical day like for you?

I’ve been living in Barcelona since May. In the morning we meet at the base and we usually start with some work on the boat. Then we have meetings: debriefing from the day before, data analysis, the weather part, and then we look in detail at the on-the-water training planned for the day. After we’ve finished ashore, we’ll go out to sea and train for several hours. When we return, we sort out the boat and do a short recap of the day.

What kind of exercises and training do you do in the gym?

The AC40 is not a very physical boat, so training in the gym is not a fundamental part of our development. The priority is data and video analysis. We still do anaerobic training in the gym, because obviously we want to maintain optimal fitness.

Can you share a memory of your adventure with Young Azzurra?

Undoubtedly the two Grand Prix events in Porto Cervo in 2021, we won both of them. We were the home team, so we had everyone supporting us, starting with the club. That was a great moment, I'm sure, for the whole Young Azzurra team.

We asked each member of the new Young Azzurra team to name a good and a bad point about themselves. What are yours?

Starting with the bad, I'd say I'm quite touchy [laughs]. As for the good, I think I take whatever I do very seriously, giving 110% in everything, whether that be sports or otherwise.