by Maximiliano Crocamo
Interview: Jimmy Spithill, CEO of the Red Bull Sailing Academy, and Andrea Tesei, professional sailor and member of the Red Bull ITA SailGP Team
Marina Monfalcone was transformed into a hub of adrenaline and celebration today as Red Bull officially inaugurated its new Sailing Academy with a public event featuring elite athletes, high-speed exhibitions, and live performances.
Kicking off at 1 p.m. and continuing into the night, the open-access festivities welcomed sailing enthusiasts, motorsport fans, and curious visitors from across the region. Among the main attractions were the presence of the Red Bull ITA SailGP Team, along with special appearances by world-renowned athletes including Australian skipper and CEO of the Academy, Jimmy Spithill, and Trieste-born sailor Andrea Tesei, who competes with the team.
“The goal of the Red Bull Sailing Academy is to create a pipeline for the next generation of world-class sailors,” said Spithill in an interview at the waterfront venue. “We want to give young talent access to top-tier training, mentorship, and experience at the highest level of the sport.”
Tesei, clearly moved by the experience of launching the Academy in his home region, added: “It’s incredible to see something like this happening here in Monfalcone. Growing up sailing in these waters, I know how much potential this area has.”
The event spotlighted not only the world of competitive sailing, but also featured a rare exhibit of high-performance machines from Red Bull’s other sporting divisions. Visitors gathered to see up close the MotoGP Bike RC16 and the RB18 Formula 1 car—crowd favorites that drew lines of spectators throughout the day.
In addition to sporting demonstrations and sailing showcases, the event included live concerts and entertainment spread across the Marina’s various spaces. Organizers emphasized that the aim was to merge sport, innovation, and local community engagement.
The Red Bull Sailing Academy, which will operate from Marina Monfalcone, is expected to serve as both a training center and promotional hub for Red Bull’s international sailing initiatives. According to Red Bull representatives, the Academy will host a range of educational programs and performance-based development camps in the coming months.
Today’s launch marked not only a milestone for the brand’s growing presence in competitive sailing, but also a celebration of maritime culture in Italy’s northeastern coast—a region long linked to shipbuilding and sea-bound tradition.
