1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from News Talks EDB. 3 00:00:12,987 --> 00:00:15,387 Speaker 2: I think it really came from, you know, having lived 4 00:00:15,427 --> 00:00:19,307 Speaker 2: in Italy for the past two America's Cup cycles, competing 5 00:00:19,347 --> 00:00:22,947 Speaker 2: for them, and just saying firsthand, you know, I'm in 6 00:00:22,947 --> 00:00:24,867 Speaker 2: the talent that's out there, the guys and girls, this 7 00:00:24,987 --> 00:00:28,027 Speaker 2: next generational talent that's coming through, and that was really 8 00:00:28,107 --> 00:00:30,667 Speaker 2: evident if you look at the Female America's Cup and 9 00:00:30,667 --> 00:00:33,667 Speaker 2: the Youth America's Cup, Italy won both of those. Italy 10 00:00:33,667 --> 00:00:36,627 Speaker 2: has always been quite a strong sailing nation. But the 11 00:00:36,667 --> 00:00:39,667 Speaker 2: other side, it's just the fan base and the commercial upside. 12 00:00:39,747 --> 00:00:43,347 Speaker 2: I mean, man, they are passionate fans, really loyal and 13 00:00:43,627 --> 00:00:46,147 Speaker 2: just a big following for the sport of sailing. 14 00:00:47,307 --> 00:00:49,747 Speaker 3: So when you started thinking about putting the team together, 15 00:00:50,267 --> 00:00:52,747 Speaker 3: what were the logistics, what were the challenges of that? 16 00:00:53,187 --> 00:00:55,547 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean it really started. At first I was 17 00:00:55,547 --> 00:00:57,867 Speaker 2: involved with the US team, you know, running that, and 18 00:00:58,147 --> 00:01:00,467 Speaker 2: then we ended up selling the team to Ryan mckillan, 19 00:01:00,987 --> 00:01:04,307 Speaker 2: and that really was the catalyst to opening the door 20 00:01:04,347 --> 00:01:06,827 Speaker 2: for Italy, you know. And at that stage, you know, 21 00:01:06,947 --> 00:01:09,147 Speaker 2: we worked it out, spoke with Larry and Russell and 22 00:01:09,147 --> 00:01:11,027 Speaker 2: then the opportunity come up, so I will why not 23 00:01:11,147 --> 00:01:14,387 Speaker 2: take on the Italian team? And so at that stage, 24 00:01:14,427 --> 00:01:16,507 Speaker 2: I was, you know, in the midst of a campaign 25 00:01:16,507 --> 00:01:18,787 Speaker 2: with Leona Rossa, and again it just lived and breathed 26 00:01:18,827 --> 00:01:22,907 Speaker 2: the Italian lifestyle and seen it all firsthand. Plus, even 27 00:01:22,947 --> 00:01:25,747 Speaker 2: when I was representing the American team, we would go 28 00:01:25,787 --> 00:01:27,827 Speaker 2: to the Italian event and it was one it was 29 00:01:27,907 --> 00:01:31,387 Speaker 2: like this event. It was completely sold out, fans everywhere, 30 00:01:31,587 --> 00:01:33,587 Speaker 2: and there was no Italian team at that stage. So 31 00:01:33,667 --> 00:01:36,147 Speaker 2: I just knew as soon as we got a national 32 00:01:36,187 --> 00:01:39,067 Speaker 2: team together, it would, you know one. I think it 33 00:01:39,147 --> 00:01:42,187 Speaker 2: eventually will get there competitively, just like any team, but 34 00:01:42,387 --> 00:01:45,307 Speaker 2: the support they will get, both commercially and from a 35 00:01:45,387 --> 00:01:48,067 Speaker 2: fan base will be one of the best. I reckon. 36 00:01:48,187 --> 00:01:49,547 Speaker 3: Yeah, I don't want to jump too far ahead, but 37 00:01:49,547 --> 00:01:51,627 Speaker 3: when you think of eventeen, I think it is in Toronto. 38 00:01:51,747 --> 00:01:53,827 Speaker 3: I mean, can you imagine the scenes there when there 39 00:01:53,867 --> 00:01:54,867 Speaker 3: is an Italy team there? 40 00:01:55,067 --> 00:01:58,027 Speaker 2: Yeah, exactly, I mean it'll be it'll be crazy. I 41 00:01:58,067 --> 00:02:00,187 Speaker 2: mean the Italian fans, I can tell you some of 42 00:02:00,227 --> 00:02:04,347 Speaker 2: the it's like a religion following their sporting teams. And yeah, 43 00:02:04,427 --> 00:02:07,307 Speaker 2: so already if we look at some of the stars. 44 00:02:07,627 --> 00:02:10,107 Speaker 2: You know, we've got in our team here like Riggeiro, 45 00:02:10,667 --> 00:02:14,747 Speaker 2: who's our driver, double gold medalists. You know, he's got 46 00:02:14,747 --> 00:02:18,467 Speaker 2: a real following already in Italy and as long as 47 00:02:18,667 --> 00:02:20,787 Speaker 2: as well as some of our other athletes. So yeah, 48 00:02:20,787 --> 00:02:22,547 Speaker 2: there's no doubt in my mind that once we get 49 00:02:22,547 --> 00:02:25,947 Speaker 2: back to the European sector of the of the tour especially, 50 00:02:25,987 --> 00:02:28,107 Speaker 2: it'll it'll, it'll really it'll blow it up. 51 00:02:28,867 --> 00:02:30,667 Speaker 3: And you've got Kyle Langford the cross as well. How 52 00:02:30,667 --> 00:02:32,027 Speaker 3: did that conversation play out? 53 00:02:32,347 --> 00:02:35,307 Speaker 2: Yeah, that was I knew straight away we needed an 54 00:02:35,427 --> 00:02:39,547 Speaker 2: experienced athlete from sale GP. You look at what I mean. 55 00:02:39,627 --> 00:02:41,707 Speaker 2: Kyle and I have had a lot of history together. 56 00:02:41,747 --> 00:02:44,907 Speaker 2: We've won America's Cups and World Championships and stuff together. 57 00:02:45,547 --> 00:02:48,947 Speaker 2: One of the top athletes in sale GP, and let's 58 00:02:48,987 --> 00:02:51,547 Speaker 2: face it, he's won every season but one and they 59 00:02:51,907 --> 00:02:54,107 Speaker 2: were a close second last season when the Spanish one. 60 00:02:54,227 --> 00:02:56,787 Speaker 2: So to be able to secure Kyle was huge because 61 00:02:56,947 --> 00:02:59,787 Speaker 2: this is a new team. You know, it's all about 62 00:02:59,787 --> 00:03:02,907 Speaker 2: ours and there's no shortcut in the top end of 63 00:03:02,907 --> 00:03:05,107 Speaker 2: the sport, nor that there should be. But you know, 64 00:03:05,147 --> 00:03:07,667 Speaker 2: we have we understand that we have to follow this process. 65 00:03:08,107 --> 00:03:10,667 Speaker 2: But the unique thing with soldierrps you don't get the boats. 66 00:03:10,987 --> 00:03:13,267 Speaker 2: You can't just go and train because as soon as 67 00:03:13,307 --> 00:03:15,947 Speaker 2: there regata ends, it's just like Motor Dude P or 68 00:03:15,947 --> 00:03:18,907 Speaker 2: Formula One, it's full pack up mode. Everything's packed up, 69 00:03:18,947 --> 00:03:21,467 Speaker 2: all these tents. They go straight in the ship and 70 00:03:21,507 --> 00:03:24,147 Speaker 2: we're onto the next event. So for for new teams, 71 00:03:24,147 --> 00:03:26,907 Speaker 2: that makes it a little more challenging because you can't 72 00:03:26,947 --> 00:03:28,907 Speaker 2: just get out on the boat and train. 73 00:03:29,867 --> 00:03:31,667 Speaker 3: You got a key as well. Brad fair and along 74 00:03:31,707 --> 00:03:33,827 Speaker 3: for the ride this weekend. How did that come about? 75 00:03:34,187 --> 00:03:36,667 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean Brad's been an awesome addition. You know, 76 00:03:36,747 --> 00:03:39,587 Speaker 2: we look, we knew we had to supplement some experience 77 00:03:40,147 --> 00:03:43,947 Speaker 2: and some youth and sort of next generational talent, and 78 00:03:43,987 --> 00:03:46,827 Speaker 2: I think the addition of Brad has been huge for 79 00:03:46,867 --> 00:03:51,827 Speaker 2: the team. Very very experienced salor very you know from 80 00:03:51,867 --> 00:03:57,067 Speaker 2: all aspects of a sport, you know, offshore, Grand Prix insure. 81 00:03:57,147 --> 00:03:59,947 Speaker 2: But not only that, it's really his attitude as a 82 00:03:59,987 --> 00:04:02,907 Speaker 2: team player that really stood out to us. And so yeah, 83 00:04:03,187 --> 00:04:04,707 Speaker 2: really stoked to have Brad in the group. 84 00:04:05,107 --> 00:04:07,187 Speaker 3: Well, at least talk about this weekend and it's day 85 00:04:07,187 --> 00:04:08,947 Speaker 3: one went well, a couple of thirds, couple of sevenths. 86 00:04:08,947 --> 00:04:10,747 Speaker 3: I'm off the back of you know, results, perhaps that 87 00:04:10,787 --> 00:04:13,187 Speaker 3: went quite as impressive, and do buy what went well 88 00:04:13,227 --> 00:04:14,027 Speaker 3: for you yesterday? 89 00:04:14,347 --> 00:04:16,107 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think it was really important for the team. 90 00:04:16,107 --> 00:04:18,307 Speaker 2: I mean, look again, this is an hour's game and 91 00:04:18,347 --> 00:04:20,627 Speaker 2: we have the least amount of hours out of anyone. 92 00:04:20,747 --> 00:04:23,027 Speaker 2: Not only that, but this team is a group, so 93 00:04:23,027 --> 00:04:25,347 Speaker 2: the first time they've ever sailed together, all work together. 94 00:04:25,747 --> 00:04:29,547 Speaker 2: And look, we've got English speakers, we've got Italian speakers, 95 00:04:29,627 --> 00:04:32,347 Speaker 2: so it's you know, i'd even argue that the Kiwi 96 00:04:32,467 --> 00:04:35,387 Speaker 2: language is a little bit different than really real English. 97 00:04:35,587 --> 00:04:38,547 Speaker 2: So so yeah, I mean it's it's just going to 98 00:04:38,587 --> 00:04:41,547 Speaker 2: take time, and you know the team understands that. But 99 00:04:41,627 --> 00:04:44,067 Speaker 2: what's important after yesterday is just that sort of mental 100 00:04:44,147 --> 00:04:46,507 Speaker 2: side that the team has the confidence now to know 101 00:04:46,627 --> 00:04:48,947 Speaker 2: they can go out there and mix it up. So look, 102 00:04:48,987 --> 00:04:51,827 Speaker 2: it's all about keeping the mistakes down. But as we've seen, 103 00:04:52,027 --> 00:04:55,067 Speaker 2: there are a lot of opportunities on this racetrack and 104 00:04:55,147 --> 00:04:58,787 Speaker 2: given the forecast today, it'll be yeah, it'll be right 105 00:04:58,827 --> 00:04:59,387 Speaker 2: on the edge. 106 00:04:59,707 --> 00:05:01,227 Speaker 3: What did you make of the overall sailing on the 107 00:05:01,227 --> 00:05:04,147 Speaker 3: New t foils yesterday? But from all of the boats. 108 00:05:04,027 --> 00:05:06,307 Speaker 2: I think they are a big step forward one from 109 00:05:06,867 --> 00:05:09,987 Speaker 2: in terms of speeds. Reliability is a huge thing as 110 00:05:10,027 --> 00:05:12,627 Speaker 2: well for the fleet. But what you really want is 111 00:05:13,427 --> 00:05:16,667 Speaker 2: equipment that can cover a big range. And one thing 112 00:05:16,707 --> 00:05:18,987 Speaker 2: those two foils have done. We have two sets of foils. 113 00:05:18,987 --> 00:05:21,467 Speaker 2: We have a lighter air foil and we have a 114 00:05:21,507 --> 00:05:24,667 Speaker 2: heavy air foil. But now we've really got some scope 115 00:05:24,707 --> 00:05:27,227 Speaker 2: where if we get caught down range with the heavy 116 00:05:27,227 --> 00:05:30,987 Speaker 2: airfoils on or vice versa, you know we're covered and 117 00:05:31,027 --> 00:05:33,307 Speaker 2: we can go foiling. And that's really what you want 118 00:05:33,427 --> 00:05:34,627 Speaker 2: is to be able to get out there and make 119 00:05:34,667 --> 00:05:37,347 Speaker 2: sure you can deliver. Because look, get with all the 120 00:05:37,387 --> 00:05:40,667 Speaker 2: weather modeling and sophistication you still got you've got to 121 00:05:40,707 --> 00:05:43,067 Speaker 2: deal with mother nature and it can throw some curveballs. 122 00:05:43,107 --> 00:05:45,827 Speaker 2: So having that flexibility I think is very important. 123 00:05:46,427 --> 00:05:48,587 Speaker 3: Right and from a global point of you, I guess 124 00:05:48,747 --> 00:05:50,667 Speaker 3: an overall point of view, what does success look like 125 00:05:50,787 --> 00:05:54,107 Speaker 3: for the Italy sale GP team in your first season? 126 00:05:54,267 --> 00:05:56,587 Speaker 2: I think the first season is really being able to 127 00:05:56,627 --> 00:05:58,587 Speaker 2: show that we can mix it up and be competitive, 128 00:05:58,627 --> 00:06:01,067 Speaker 2: and I think we ticked that box much of it, 129 00:06:01,107 --> 00:06:03,467 Speaker 2: and I thought we would, and that was yesterday. You know, 130 00:06:03,507 --> 00:06:06,187 Speaker 2: to be going get a couple of podium place finishes, 131 00:06:06,427 --> 00:06:07,987 Speaker 2: really been mixing it up at the top. That's a 132 00:06:08,067 --> 00:06:11,067 Speaker 2: huge step for the team. But I think for us 133 00:06:11,107 --> 00:06:13,987 Speaker 2: it's to really try and get into a Super Sunday Final, 134 00:06:14,227 --> 00:06:16,667 Speaker 2: you know, That's what we'd really love to do. I'd 135 00:06:16,667 --> 00:06:18,427 Speaker 2: love to see us get a race win, you know, 136 00:06:18,507 --> 00:06:20,507 Speaker 2: in one of these heats. But yeah, if we can 137 00:06:20,547 --> 00:06:22,987 Speaker 2: get into one of the Super Sunday Finals, I think 138 00:06:22,987 --> 00:06:25,547 Speaker 2: that will really be a great achievement for a new team, 139 00:06:26,107 --> 00:06:28,267 Speaker 2: and I think that we'd be looking at that hopefully 140 00:06:28,267 --> 00:06:29,907 Speaker 2: by the sort of second half of the season. 141 00:06:30,427 --> 00:06:31,547 Speaker 3: Jim's being out there. 142 00:06:32,027 --> 00:06:34,467 Speaker 2: Mate, It's the hardest thing in the world, just sitting 143 00:06:34,507 --> 00:06:36,427 Speaker 2: on the side on and watching. I don't know how 144 00:06:36,427 --> 00:06:38,947 Speaker 2: people do it. It's just so I've never been so 145 00:06:39,027 --> 00:06:39,867 Speaker 2: stressed in my life. 146 00:06:39,947 --> 00:06:43,187 Speaker 3: Yeah, Jimmy, great to tear. TMV made all the bits 147 00:06:43,187 --> 00:06:44,387 Speaker 3: for the rest of the season with Italy. 148 00:06:44,547 --> 00:06:45,267 Speaker 2: Thanks very much. 149 00:06:46,067 --> 00:06:49,227 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 150 00:06:49,387 --> 00:06:52,627 Speaker 1: to News Talk z'd be weekends from midday, or follow 151 00:06:52,667 --> 00:06:54,307 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.