Genoa capital of foiling. Sailing, which is the most advanced point of this innovation, and which is called “flying”, think of America’s Cup boats such as Luna Rossa, but also motor boating and shipping which falls under the term “commercial” , i.e. the transport of people and goods not for pleasure and private purposes. The agreement was reached between the Municipality and The Foiling Organization, the global association of the foiling industry, the companies and professionals who work there. The target? «Establishing a cluster in Genoa, an Italian, but also international, district of foiling, which can be a point of reference and which can expand, attracting companies and professionals, also channeling financing from private individuals, funds and the European Union» explains Luca Rizzotti .
Rizzotti is one of the Italian pioneers of foiling. Milanese, studies in Economics, family involved in construction. In this field, he works abroad from 26 to 36 years old. It is in Australia, in Sydney, that he encounters the “flying” sail: he will be the first foiling Moth (a small boat with appendages that raise the hull above the water) in Italy. He becomes the president of this class of boats, organizes the World Championships on Lake Garda, and then always on the lake launches the Foiling Week, a week dedicated to “flying” sailing, which in 2023 celebrated 10 years of life and whose format has also been exported abroad (Newport, Sydney, Miami, Jeddah). Then, Rizzotti goes to work at the Persico shipyards, the ports that build Luna Rossa, then returns to dedicate himself full time to Foiling Week and the nascent Foiling Association. In the meantime, he also becomes class manager of the Ac40s, the America’s Cup boats that we saw in the pre-regattas and on which the young men and women will race in the Youth & Women America’s Cup 2024.
The interview
Fabio Pozzo
Genoa capital of foiling. Sailing, which is the most advanced point of this innovation, and which is called “flying”, think of America’s Cup boats such as Luna Rossa, but also motor boating and shipping which falls under the term “commercial” , i.e. the transport of people and goods not for pleasure and private purposes. The agreement was reached between the Municipality and The Foiling Organization, the global association of the foiling industry, the companies and professionals who work there. The target? «Establishing a cluster in Genoa, an Italian, but also international, district of foiling, which can be a point of reference and which can expand, attracting companies and professionals, also channeling financing from private individuals, funds and the European Union» explains Luca Rizzotti .
Rizzotti is one of the Italian pioneers of foiling. Milanese, studies in Economics, family involved in construction. In this field, he works abroad from 26 to 36 years old. It is in Australia, in Sydney, that he encounters the “flying” sail: he will be the first foiling Moth (a small boat with appendages that raise the hull above the water) in Italy. He becomes the president of this class of boats, organizes the World Championships on Lake Garda, and then always on the lake launches the Foiling Week, a week dedicated to “flying” sailing, which in 2023 celebrated 10 years of life and whose format has also been exported abroad (Newport, Sydney, Miami, Jeddah). Then, Rizzotti goes to work at the Persico shipyards, the ports that build Luna Rossa, then returns to dedicate himself full time to Foiling Week and the nascent Foiling Association. In the meantime, he also becomes class manager of the Ac40s, the America’s Cup boats that we saw in the pre-regattas and on which the young men and women will race in the Youth & Women America’s Cup 2024.
Let’s go back to Genoa. Meeting point, the mayor Marco Bucci and his vision of Genoa projected onto the sea. «The first step is the opening of the association’s headquarters in the spaces of the Blue District, in the Porto Antico. Therefore, on April 18th we will organize a world congress on foiling, which will bring together the members of the association and all those who are interested in becoming one: shipyards, component manufacturers, designers, sailing teams, yacht clubs, other associations and institutions” anticipates Rizzotti . «And in Genoa, on the evening of the congress, we will also bring the 2024 Foiling Awards». They are the Oscars of the industry.
The horizon? «The ocean sailing district was born in Brittany, which is one of the most advanced global centers for this type of sport sailing. A district that has attracted many companies and professionals and which today represents an important economic voice for the region. Here, we would like to do the same in Genoa for the global foiling industry. Becoming the embryo, with association, of this development. We bring in our knowledge and our contacts, in short, the network, and the network will bring companies, professions, funds.” A district that will be at the center of a new way of sailing. «It’s not just about sailing, but about boating, and about commercial mobility for the transport of people and goods, which could be experienced for example along the Genoese coast. Aeronautics may also be interested, because flight control systems may have common bases. The boat raised above the water allows you to reach high speeds while reducing consumption, because the hull is not held back by the resistance of the water” explains Rizzotti. It means sustainability, blue economy.
The technological district (which will have to find further spaces) would be unique and would act as a driving force for the growth of the foiling industry. «The idea is to organize meetings all year round, sporting events, but also to promote training and professional specialization. Involving and drawing from local entities such as IITs, universities, shipyards, shipping companies, certification bodies, which we will meet shortly to explain the project to them.” —
Luca Rizzotti
Let’s go back to Genoa. Meeting point, the mayor Marco Bucci and his vision of Genoa projected onto the sea. «The first step is the opening of the association’s headquarters in the spaces of the Blue District, in the Porto Antico. Therefore, on April 18th we will organize a world congress on foiling, which will bring together the members of the association and all those who are interested in becoming one: shipyards, component manufacturers, designers, sailing teams, yacht clubs, other associations and institutions” anticipates Rizzotti . «And in Genoa, on the evening of the congress, we will also bring the 2024 Foiling Awards». They are the Oscars of the industry.
The horizon? «The ocean sailing district was born in Brittany, which is one of the most advanced global centers for this type of sport sailing. A district that has attracted many companies and professionals and which today represents an important economic voice for the region. Here, we would like to do the same in Genoa for the global foiling industry. Becoming the embryo, with association, of this development. We bring in our knowledge and our contacts, in short, the network, and the network will bring companies, professions, funds.” A district that will be at the center of a new way of sailing. «It’s not just about sailing, but about boating, and about commercial mobility for the transport of people and goods, which could be experienced for example along the Genoese coast. Aeronautics may also be interested, because flight control systems may have common bases. The boat raised above the water allows you to reach high speeds while reducing consumption, because the hull is not held back by the resistance of the water” explains Rizzotti. It means sustainability, blue economy.
The technological district (which will have to find further spaces) would be unique and would act as a driving force for the growth of the foiling industry. «The idea is to organize meetings all year round, sporting events, but also to promote training and professional specialization. Involving and drawing from local entities such as IITs, universities, shipyards, shipping companies, certification bodies, which we will meet shortly to explain the project to them.”
“The foiling industry is growing at high speed and could take on a central role in the blue economy that is very dear to us – says Francesco Maresca, Councilor for Heritage, Port, Sea and Fisheries of the Municipality of Genoa -. For this reason it will be a pleasure for us to host the activities and events of The Foiling Organization which seems to have the credentials to do a good job”.