Pirelli alongside Ambrogio Beccaria in the oceanic regattas
Oceanic sailing is an extreme, adrenaline-packed sport. Navigation on long and impervious crossings forces sailors to pursue a new standard of physical and mental well-being, managing anxiety, and hours spent asleep that quickly alternate with hours awake.
It's a challenge that pushes enthusiasts beyond their limits, out of their comfort zone and beyond. It is the essence, which is well matched with Pirelli, enclosed in the enterprises of Ambrogio Beccaria, the first Italian sailor in history to win the Mini Transat, the transatlantic solo on 6.5 metre boats, without communication with land.
The Pirelli sponsorship will have two regattas as its main events, the Palermo-Monte Carlo at the end of August – one of the most important and renowned offshore regattas in the Mediterranean Sea – and the Route du Rhum, 3.542 miles from St. Malo to Guadalupe. Pirelli will join Ambrogio Beccaria in the races and his approach to the world of sailing. Not only “on board”, but also on dry land. Together, they will develop technological research to fine-tune the boat.
Beccaria is known as the “terrestrial of the sea,” using his engineering skills to fine-tune the boat that he will then be sailing on the waters. So, in the Italian shipyard Sangiorgio Marine, in Genoa, the Class40 “Alla grande” is taking shape. This is the first modern oceanic sailing project completely “made in Italy”, thanks to an Italian builder such as Edoardo Bianchi, based on the design of architect Gianluca Guelfi.
The design and construction of the boat is truly innovative. The technique used is infusion with glass fabrics used as reinforcements, epoxy resin as matrix and a structural foam core. This way, an extremely light-weight and strong composite sandwich can be obtained.
Then there is the eco-sustainable aspect to consider. The energy on board “Alla Grande” will be produced using renewable sources such as solar or hydroelectric power. This energy will be required to operate the autopilot, satellite connection, navigation and performance analysis software, as well as safety equipment, such as the radio.
This means navigation will be as close to zero impact as possible. The water will be produced by a watermaker, which in turn is powered by the energy produced by solar panels. The use of disposable plastic will be limited, and the few plastic objects are reusable.
