Italian National Olympic Committee awards gold medals to Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team
Italian National Olympic Committee awards gold medals to Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team
The medals are in recognition of the Italian syndicate's 'athletic valour' in winning the PRADA Cup at the 36th America's Cup
Cagliari, June 8, 2023 - Today a ceremony was held at the team’s base to present the "Gold Medals for Athletic Valour" for the year 2020-21 to the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sailors who took part in the 36th America's Cup - Presented by PRADA - in Auckland, New Zealand.
On that occasion, after winning the Challenger Selection Series (PRADA Cup), eliminating the other competitors (INEOS Team UK and American Magic), Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli met the Defender Emirates Team
New Zealand in the Cup Final Match (best of 10 races), bringing home three victories, the best result ever for an Italian team.
Receiving the medals awarded by the Italian National Olympic Committee, upon direct recommendation of the FIV (Italian Sailing Federation) – for Italian athletes who have achieved "absolute" sporting results, titles or records in world and European, national and international level and who have distinguished themselves in the Olympic Games – were: Max Sirena (Skipper and Team Director), Romano Battisti, Nicholas Brezzi, Davide Cannata, Michele Cannoni, Shannon Falcone, Emanuele Liuzzi, Umberto Molineris, Gilberto Nobili, Jacopo Plazzi, Andrea Tesei, Enrico Voltolini. *
In addition to the above-mentioned sailors, the awards were presented to Matteo Celon, Pierluigi De Felice, Francesco Mongelli, Pietro Sibello and Vasco Vascotto who were part of the sailing team in the 2020 / 2021 edition. The latter group participated to the ceremony in remote connection.
The medals were presented by CONI President Giovanni Malagò and FIV President Francesco Ettorre.
Attending the event were also Patrizio Bertelli, President of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team, Marco Tronchetti Provera, Executive Vice President and CEO of Pirelli and Agostino Randazzo, President of the Circolo della Vela Sicilia, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli's challenging yacht club.
«I am proud to confer this well-deserved award to the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team for the achievements and emotions it has given us, flying over the water and into the hearts of all Italians. The gold medals for athletic valour represent an important recognition from CONI - on behalf of Italian sport - for the victory of the PRADA Cup and for the great feats achieved by a group of formidable professionals, capable of bringing prestige to our movement and to the entire country thanks to their talent, ability and sense of belonging. This reality represents a symbol of Italian excellence worldwide », said CONI President Giovanni Malagò.
«Receiving the gold medal for athletic valour is a great satisfaction, both personally and as Team Director of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli», said Max Sirena. «Even though we did not achieve the primary goal of our challenge, the 36th America's Cup - Presented by PRADA - was the closest we came. I want to dedicate this personal recognition to the work, passion and professionalism of all the members of Team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, without whom none of this would have been possible. It was the most important performance of an Italian team in the America's Cup, now we have to work to try to take the final step. I thank all the guys who contributed to achieving this result and CONI for the important acknowledgement».
«Today is meant to be a day of celebration and appreciation for what Team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli has achieved in the Prada Cup», said FIV President Francesco Ettorre. «The presentation of the Gold Medals for Athletic Valour at the Cagliari base with CONI President Malagò closes a wonderful cycle that culminated with the America's Cup Final that, I am sure, will be an additional motivation for new and exciting goals. We had coined the slogan 'La vela che vola, l'Italia che sogna!' (Sailing that flies, Italy that dreams!) precisely to exalt the spectacular nature of a boat of its kind and the national spirit that kept millions of Italian fans glued to the screens during the “Auckland nights”. My thanks go to Patrizio Bertelli and Marco Tronchetti Provera for their commitment, my friend Max Sirena and the whole team for what they have done: the Gold Medal for Athletic Valour they are receiving today is the rightful tribute from Italian sport to a challenge that is still alive in our hearts».
* Helmsman Francesco Bruni did not receive the medal, having already been awarded the prestigious CONI 'gold collar' in 1994 as World Champion in the Laser Class.
Press release issued by Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team