Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo S Series

Rising Italian star has Renna in his sights at the Youth Sailing World Championships

by World Sailing 18 Jul 2024 15:24 UTC 13-20 July 2024
Federico Pilloni - Youth Sailing World Championships 2024 © World Sailing

Nicolo Renna may be the Italian iQFOiL name on everyone's lips ahead of Paris 2024 but Federico Pilloni is the country's windsurfing hotshot taking the Youth Sailing World Championships by storm.

The 17-year-old qualified for the home Championships on Lake Garda ahead of newly-crowned youth European champion Leonardo Tomasini.

The Sardinian is not shying away from his status as the men's iQFOiL favourite and knows the pressure is a privilege when it comes to the future of his career.

Pilloni won the Techno 293 Plus class at the Youth Sailing World Championships in Oman three years ago and is on the brink of clinching a second title in his home country.

"It's very special to be here but at the same time it has its negative parts because you've got lots of pressure," he said.

"It's nice because you've got lots of people that support you around but everyone is looking at you.

"I like to speak with everybody and be friendly with everybody.

"Not talking to anybody ahead of races, I feel bad about that but it's trying to find the right compromise between the two things."

Pilloni has been windsurfing since the age of nine, starting out at his local beach with Windsurfing Club Cagliari.

He currently sails at Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and made the seamless transition from the Techno class to the iQFOiL after claiming his youth world champion status in 2021.

"It was quite a tough transition, the first year was about trying to find people who knew how to foil better but then the overall level became really high," he said.

"The class required more weight and new techniques, it was quite hard to do that switch but it's going quite well for now.

"It's quite new and I can see everybody is really enjoying it and it's becoming more popular, it's so encouraging and it just makes the level higher and higher."

With just one day of racing left, Pilloni has solidified his position at the top of the standings, boasting seven stunning bullets across the week so far.

Nearest competitor Makani Andrews of the USA was more than 40 points behind the Italian following the penultimate day as low Wednesday wind did not deter Pilloni in an early morning session of rescheduled races.

"Into this race I was the favourite, even in the first few days I wasn't into the rhythm and it's becoming easier and easier as the competition goes on," he said.

Pilloni will be following the Olympics from Tonbridge in Kent, sharing the moment with his mother's British side of the family to watch Renna and co.

The teenager has already had his first taste of senior sailing in the past 12 months, which has been enough to whet the appetite for consistent racing in those ranks.

"I've been in the senior world and the level is just amazing, it would be really hard to try and solidify the top of the world in a senior fleet," he added.

"It would probably take a few years but the aim is to rise from now, train with the senior fleet and maybe one day I can get to something bigger."

You can follow the Youth Sailing World Championships via the livestream on World Sailing TV and via the dedicated event website.

Related Articles

Lowrance software update offers new features
New Trolling Motor features, Live Sonar enhancement Lowrance®, a world-leader in fishing electronics, today announced the release of software update 25.2, which is packed with innovative trolling motor features, significant enhancements to ActiveTarget® 2, and expanded third-party integrations. Posted on 16 Jul
DAIWA: Humbled and Honored
Carey Graves accepts Executive Officer role with parent company Globeride, Inc. American DAIWA Corp. President Carey Graves accepts Executive Officer role with parent company Globeride, Inc. Posted on 16 Jul
Lowrance® unveils Ghost® X Trolling Motor
Effortless positioning for a perfect cast every time Lowrance®, a world-leader in fishing electronics, today announced the Ghost® X 47-inch trolling motor, designed for freshwater and featuring an enhanced precision directional indicator, increased power, and the quietest motor yet. Posted on 16 Jul
DAIWA: The 9 Lives of Line
New offerings were popping up like prairie dogs Available in August, XBRAID's new FULLDRAG X9 brings big game fishing the pinnacle in 9-strand braided line technology and advanced manufacturing techniques. Posted on 15 Jul
Daiwa's next generation Saltiga
New 8000 to 25000-size 25 SALTIGA® big game spinning reel advances power, control and smoothness Being born in the SALTIGA family comes with lofty expectations. You're expected to be intelligent as Musk and DaVinci; valedictorian of your class; smooth as Air Jordan; and post wins like Belichick and Lombardi. Posted on 14 Jul
Conservancies' Classic set for Haskell's Beach
This is your chance to wet a line, support a great organization The Sportfishing Conservancy is hosting the seventh annual "Conservancies' Classic" in support of the Gaviota Coast Conservancy and their commitment to recreational coastal access. Posted on 14 Jul
DAIWA: Angler Outrage Intensifies
Saltwater spinning and casting series developed for species and situations DAIWA's new Outrage XV saltwater spinning and casting series developed for species and situations across The Seven Seas. Posted on 13 Jul
Historic Black Marlin recapture!
Records reveal this Black Marlin was originally tagged back in late January 2023 In late March 2025 Charles Purdie was fishing aboard the charter vessel Wingman, off the coast of Costa Rica and managed to land an impressive Black Marlin estimated at 130kg. Posted on 12 Jul
Marine Auctions: Two Online Auctions in July
Also Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region Marine Auctions are proud to announce that Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region in South Australia. Jacob is a local Commerical Fisherman. Posted on 12 Jul
Aquila introduces the 36 Molokai
Proven performance in a purpose-built fishing platform Aquila Power Catamarans announced the launch of the 36 Molokai, the newest addition to its acclaimed Molokai catamaran series. Posted on 11 Jul
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo M75