In preparation for the last America’s Cup, the Italian sailing team came up with a unique and innovative idea of having two skippers take turns steering the boat. This approach, considered “crazy” by helmsman Francesco Bruni, turned out to be a game-changer for them during the race. While other teams struggled with their sole skipper having to move back and forth with each maneuver, Bruni and Jimmy Spithill stayed in their positions, each handling their own side of the boat.
The success of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team utilizing the two-skipper strategy in the previous America’s Cup did not go unnoticed. Teams competing in the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona, including the defending champions Team Emirates New Zealand, have adopted this approach inspired by Luna Rossa’s prior success. Coach Philippe Presti noted that there is no monopoly on good ideas and solutions in sailing, hence the replication by other teams.
As Luna Rossa gears up to compete in the Louis Vuitton Cup final against INEOS Britannia, the team’s experience and synchrony between Bruni and Spithill from their previous campaign are seen as advantageous. Despite rivals also embracing the two-skipper system, Luna Rossa remains confident in their partnership and experience, especially with both sailors having navigated high-pressure situations together.
The dual-helm concept was conceived around three years before the 2021 America’s Cup, arising from an extensive collaborative process aimed at resolving visibility challenges posed by large sails obstructing the skipper’s view. The partnership between Bruni and Spithill, described as a blend of contrasting personalities – with Spithill being the calm “ice man” and Bruni the passionate “volcano” – has been instrumental in Luna Rossa’s success on the water.
Effective communication between helmsmen has been emphasized as crucial for success, with the non-driving helm providing vital information and insights to their partner during the race. Each team approaches the dynamic between their skippers differently, with some deferring to a dominant leader while others share responsibilities depending on circumstances. The respect, communication, and mutual understanding between co-skippers are paramount to achieving synergy on the boat.
In the upcoming Louis Vuitton Cup final and potentially in the America’s Cup match against New Zealand, Luna Rossa will continue to rely on the harmony and camaraderie between Bruni and Spithill as they strive to secure victory. While the underlying strategy of utilizing two skippers has become widespread across the fleet, Luna Rossa’s unique blend of personalities and seamless teamwork sets them apart on the competitive sailing stage.