Luna Rossa used a training session in Naples to announce two new additions to their Youth team: Federico Figlia di Granara and Lorenzo Sirena. Both sailors bring serious credentials to one of the most coveted teams in international sport.
Federico Figlia di Granara is just 23 years old and already making his mark on the world dinghy scene. He grew up at the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia, the very club under whose burgee Luna Rossa competes, and is an accomplished foiler who has long been involved in the Nacra 17 class alongside Caterina Sedmak. His 2025 results alone tell the story: a European junior title, a bronze medal at the Under-24 World Championships, and an Italian national title.
Federico is also a member of the Italian Olympic team with Los Angeles 2028 in his sights. Away from the water, he studies law at Federico II University, supported by the institution's Atleta Federiciano programme, which allows him to balance elite sport and academia.
"The key point for me is that I don't want my competitive career to become an excuse for neglecting my education, nor vice versa," he explained. His goal, he added, is "to be a professional athlete who builds high-level skills, not necessarily because they'll be technically useful in the future, but because they make me a more prepared and capable person."
Lorenzo Sirena carries a famous sailing name. His father Max Sirena is CEO of Luna Rossa, and while Max was contesting the Louis Vuitton Cup Final in Barcelona in 2024, Lorenzo was up at Lake Garda competing in the Nacra 15 Under 19 World Championships.
Going into the final day, Lorenzo needed solid results to beat the French team, who had been tipped for the title. He delivered, scoring three race wins to take the championship alongside crew Alice Dessy. The pair had been coached by Gigi Picciau of the Italian Sailing Federation and Marcella Mamusa of the Cagliari Yacht Club.
Writing on Instagram, Lorenzo said: "It was a very hard-fought championship, until the last race. I am very satisfied with this performance, and I noticed great improvements compared to the last races. But I know there is a lot of work to do, though… I want to thank my family first of all! And then all the Italian Nacra15 team and our sparring partners, without them it would have been impossible!"
Both sailors have now officially joined the Luna Rossa Youth Team, the current holders of the Youth America's Cup, won by Marco Gradoni and Gianluigi Ugolini in Barcelona in 2024. Rocco Falcone, himself a product of that Youth America's Cup programme, spoke about the appointments and the selection period.
"We are working to build the Youth and Women crews, both in preparation for the Preliminary Regatta in September and for next year's Youth America's Cup and Women's America's Cup," Falcone said. "When we sail with two boats, we focus more on match racing; with just one, we work mainly on basic manoeuvres, such as starts and mark roundings, while at the same time defining the different roles on board and integrating the new sailors. I am very pleased with the two young sailors who have joined the Youth team: they are very young, but already highly skilled. Both have experience on foiling boats and immediately understand what is required of them. I remember very clearly the excitement I felt when I joined Luna Rossa as a Youth sailor a few years ago, and I am sure they are experiencing the same feeling."
