Artwork featuring Italian sailing champion to go on display at Genoa Boat Show ahead of charity auction
Scottish artist Mark Sib is bringing Scottish maritime art and high-performance sailing together with a portrait of Italian sailing champion Giulia Conti that will support the next generation of foiling sailors.
The artwork will be displayed at the Genoa International Boat Show from 1–6 October 2026, ahead of a charity auction that will raise funds for coaching and development opportunities for young foilers.
Commissioned through Glasgow-based GRM Marketing, Sib painted Conti during Foiling Week on Lake Garda in July. The finished portrait will be displayed at The Foiling Organization / We Are Foiling stand at the Genoa show, with all proceeds from the subsequent auction going towards youth foiling initiatives.
Foiling Future: The Ferrari Hypersail project that Giulia Conti has joined as part of the Italian team’s new full-foiling sailing programme. Photo: Ferrari Hypersail
Conti’s Foiling Legacy
The project comes as Conti, Head of Performance at We Are Foiling, begins a new chapter with the Ferrari Hypersail Sailing Team.
A World and European champion, four-time Olympian and winning helm of the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup, Conti has become one of the leading figures in modern foiling.
Her career has included the high-performance world of the International Moth, a class that has played a major role in developing foiling techniques and technologies across the sport.
“I’m truly honoured to be the subject of this portrait, and it means a great deal to know that Mark’s work will help support the next generation of foilers,” Conti said.
“As Head of Performance at We Are Foiling, I see every day how much talent is waiting for an opportunity. This project will help give young sailors the chance to get on the water and pursue their ambitions.”
Art Supporting Sailing’s Future
Luca Rizzotti, founder of We Are Foiling, said the portrait provided a way to bring foiling to a wider audience while supporting young sailors entering the sport.
“Giulia is one of Italian foiling’s outstanding ambassadors. Seeing her through Mark Sib’s eyes felt like a natural way to bring our sport to a wider audience,” he said.
“Foiling can only grow if we give young sailors the opportunity to get on the water with the right people beside them.”
Sib’s previous sporting subjects include Scotland football captain Andy Robertson, whose portrait helped raise funds for his Scottish football charity AR26.
Visitors and prospective bidders can view the Giulia Conti portrait throughout the Genoa International Boat Show at The Foiling Organization / We Are Foiling stand, PS01, Boating Discovery, Pavilion S.
