Federico Pilloni triumphs as European Under-23 Champion with bronze medal

Federico Pilloni clinches bronze at the iQFOiL European Championships, marking a significant milestone in his career. This achievement not only highlights his talent but also positions him as the European Under-23 Champion, showcasing the rising stars of sailing.

The competition in Portimão, Portugal, featured 117 competitors, with Pilloni demonstrating remarkable skill and determination. After excelling in the qualifiers and finals, he entered the semi-final, which faced three general recalls. Despite starting 5 seconds behind due to a penalty in the final restart, Pilloni surged ahead to finish second and secure his place in the Grand Final.

In the thrilling conclusion, he outpaced his rivals, initially leading at the first windward mark. Ultimately, he finished behind Johan Søe and Luuc Van Opzeeland, the latter being the 2026 European Champion and a bronze medallist at the Paris Olympics. Pilloni expressed immense pride in his accomplishments, emphasizing the motivation this result provides for his future endeavors.

Meanwhile, Maddalena Spanu shone in Turkey, finishing second at the WingFoil Racing World Cup after a fierce battle, while Cesare Barabino placed 16th at the ILCA 7 European Championship in Croatia. The Young Azzurra athletes continue to make waves in their respective sports.