Getting to know the talents Cesare Barabino, Federico Alan Pilloni and Maddalena Spanu better

Our meeting with the young champions of Yacht Club Costa Smeralda thanks to the Young Azzurra programme

The sporting legacy of the yacht Azzurra can these days be found in Young Azzurra, the programme in which the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda supports talented young sportspeople like Cesare Barabino from Olbia, aged 22 and a sailor in the Olympic ILCA 7 class, (better known as Laser, the most widespread in the world), Cagliari-born Federico Alan Pilloni, just 18 years old and an excellent athlete in IQFoil windsurfing (an Olympic event, from this year’s Paris Games) and Maddalena Spanu, also aged 18 and from Oristano, the current Wingfoil word champion.

Federico Alan Pilloni

Federico, how does it feel to see your speciality, IQFoil, becoming an Olympic event for the first time?

It’s really exciting, because it’s the second-largest Olympic class in terms of practising athletes. It’s a discipline that will bring some great action to the Paris Olympics.

Which was the most important regatta of your life?

Youth Sailing World Championship 2024, the third most important in Olympic sailing, after the Olympics and Worlds. It recently ended on Lake Garda, where I earned the title of world champion in the U19 category. I’d already taken part in the competition in Oman in 2021, where I won a gold medal for Italy for the first time.

What’s your ideal regatta venue in Sardinia?

Definitely Golfo degli Angeli in southern Sardinia, close to my home and the Arcipelago di La Maddalena

Your favourite place on the Costa Smeralda?

The Capo Ferro lighthouse, which is particularly spectacular in bad weather.

Maddalena Spanu

Maddalena, how did you get started in Wingfoil?

It was thanks to my dad, who got me to try it one day for a laugh.

Your most important regatta?

The IFCA Windsurf World Championship in 2021 and the Cagliari stage of the World Wingfoil Racing Championship in 2023.

Your dream on the back burner?

To win at the Olympics one day, in the hope that Wingfoil will soon be recognised as an Olympic event. But I also dream of clocking up a record number of wins in the Wingfoil World Championships.

What’s your ideal regatta venue in Sardinia?

Cagliari, second only to the Costa Smeralda.

Your favourite place on the Costa Smeralda?

Isola dei Monaci in the Maddalena Archipelago. It’s amazing to watch the regattas from that idyllic spot.

Cesare, how did you get into ILCA?

I started sailing in 2008 with Optimist, a small boat that’s excellent for children to learn in. Later, partly to follow in the footsteps of my sister who sailed in ILCA 4, and partly because I liked sailing solo, I chose ILCA.

Your most important regatta?

For me, the U21 European Championship in France in 2022 was really special, and I won the silver medal.

Your sporting dream?

To win the ILCA 7 World Championships and gold at the Olympics.

What’s your ideal regatta venue in Sardinia?

As I’m a fan of strong wind, I think the most challenging place is in front of Santa Teresa di Gallura, in the Strait of Bonifacio.

Your favourite place on the Costa Smeralda?

Yacht Club Costa Smeralda: it’s in a unique location in one of the world’s most beautiful places.