Cagliari, he worked for years in New Zealand In the team he takes care of all the sail control systems
The manager of Luna Rossa’s deck equipment is an engineer from Cagliari. A real passion that of Antonio Concu for sailing. Which led him to be part of the Prada-Pirelli team in the most exciting adventure: the 2021 America’s Cup.
«I am responsible for the deck equipment, that is the mechanical systems for controlling the sails, therefore winches, blocks, rails and everything else – explains engineer Concu -. I also take care of most of the hardware that is installed on board and I prepare the boat in the shed before it goes into the water for training or racing ».
Since he was a boy, engineer Concu decides that the sea is his way. After graduating in construction engineering in Cagliari, he specializes in sustainable technologies at the “La Sapienza” University of Rome.
An ad hoc degree that allows him to catapult himself into the nautical world and make the great leap overseas. For four years, from 2014 to 2018, he worked in New Zealand, precisely, in Auckland, where he was hired by the company Harken NZ, the company where the Tp 52s are built, one of the sea formulas that a few years ago made their debut in the Gulf of Angels in the circuit in stages of the Audi Med Cup.
But Antonio in Auckland doesn’t just want to be an engineer. He misses the charm of the upwind too much, so much so that he participates as bowman in national regattas such as the Coastal classic. Then the big leap, the dream of his life. Three years ago the engineer was called to be part of the Luna Rossa team for the second Cagliari America’s Cup campaign.
«Having worked for years in the land of the Kiwis has helped me, there is no doubt – admits the engineer -. In Auckland I was part of the Tech group that dealt with the installation of materials on racing boats, TP52, Volvo, Maxi – continues Concu -. Furthermore, having moved to live in the other hemisphere of the world many years ago was fundamental, both under the work profile, which is human, has given me that boost that I was missing in Italy ».
A fundamental role, that of Antonio Concu in the Luna Rossa team. The engineer twice left the Cagliari base of the Inchusa pier to follow the construction in the “Persico” shipyard in Bergamo, where both boat 1 and boat 2 gradually took shape, the latter landing in Auckland after a long journey aboard an Antonov, an air giant dedicated to special transport. «The victory of the Prada Cup was a historic result, certainly not to be taken for granted – continues Concu -. We rightly celebrated, also waving the flag of the four Moors, but only one evening because in any case now we are facing the biggest obstacle ».
What do you have to give up for the thrill of being part of Luna Rossa? «We all make an infinite“ bunch ”and we worked hard to get to the final: in the last three years there hasn’t been much time to relax and rejoice, it’s a continuous race against time and against New Zealand. We will win”.