When, at the age of seven, she was asked if she wanted to go sailing, Giulia hesitated, but once on board she fell head over heels in love with this sport, which has given her some impressive results: two world bronzes, a European silver in 420 and a world and European silver in Nacra 15. Today, Giulia Fava is a trimmer for the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli women's team and is preparing to compete in the Puig Women's America's Cup, an event scheduled as part of the XXXVII America's Cup and reserved for women. Proud and determined, Giulia is always chasing new goals, motivated by the world of big-boat sailing, which she has always dreamed of being a part of, inspired by other female athletes and driven by the sea and the wind.
How did your relationship with sailing come about?
I discovered this sport thanks to my brother who, when we were little, would always ask to go sailing while walking along the Civitavecchia seafront. At the age of six he was sailing on his Optimist. When I reached that age, my parents asked me if I wanted to try, but I hesitated. In the end, the following summer, I took my first course, and I haven't stopped since.
As soon as I got on my first Optimist, understood that to sail it I needed to constantly push my limits. My inner drive to better myself and go the extra mile made me fall deeply in love with sailing. The thing I enjoyed the most was the solitude and the struggle to overcome the sea and the wind all by myself.
Can you tell us when you found out you were going to be part of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team and when you learned it would be a historic America's Cup for women's teams?
It all started with a message from Jacopo Plazzi (one of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli coaches), asking if I could make it to Cagliari for a selection process. The Luna Rossa team is a legend among all sailors, and anyone asked, 'Would you like to be part of the team?' would say yes.
After several tests, Max Sirena called me and six other girls and notified us that we had made the women's team for the Puig Women's America's Cup. It was a dream come true: being part of this team is the highest recognition that a sailor can receive. I felt as though I was in heaven.
The impact of a women-only America's Cup event will be enormous. Never before has anything like this been organised, and I think this is a great opportunity to show what we women are made of and to earn our place in the world of big-boat sailing.
How are you preparing, even mentally, for the competition?
My sailing journey has taken me through the Olympic classes, in which I still compete. For quite some time now I've been working with a mental coach to help me manage challenging moments.
I firmly believe that hard work is the key to success. I've always believed in putting my head down, working hard, and learning from everyone I meet, because you never know what valuable insights you might gain. We've built a strong bond as a group, and this unity is a powerful driving force that pushes us to do better and reach our objective.
The most memorable and tense moment with the team?
Definitely one of the best moments was when, during one of our first all-women sailing trips, the team managed to complete a simulated race without making any mistakes, even in challenging, high-wind conditions. It was the confirmation that we were heading in the right direction and that the work we did had paid off.
As for the most tense moment, I can't yet say precisely. Maybe it's when we need to do delicate work, like underwater repairs, or when the boat breaks down. Our passion for sailing is so intense that we just can't give up.
How does it feel to sail at certain speeds?
It is a unique feeling. When you 'take off,' it's as if the boat were eager to spread its wings and fly across the waves. Perhaps it's just something you get used to, but when you're on a boat, you don't really notice how fast you're moving - it's similar to being on a plane and not realising you're travelling at 700 km/h. Only when you stop and look outside do you really understand how fast you're going.
As sailors you have a privileged observatory on the state of health of the seas. Even though you're very young, how has the landscape changed?
We come across a lot of dirt in the water. We've run into logs, which are not only unwelcome guests in the water but also a real hazard. Hitting one could seriously damage our boat and foils. We can always do better, but in this case we must all strive to protect the marine and coastal environment better.
Is there a figure you have been inspired by or who inspires you during your journey?
One person I consider to be a great sailor is Giulia Conti: when I was little she was my idol, due to her achievements and her experience, and today I feel privileged to work alongside her in this team.
Another sports person I admire very much, especially for her mentality, is Sofia Goggia. She has had the strength to recover from injuries and falls, always emerging stronger and more determined than before. Her strength is enviable.
A destination you would like to discover?
I would love to discover countries like India or the Arabian Peninsula: countries with totally different cultures from ours to learn about the different ways of life that exist in the world.
