America's Cup sailor Francesco 'Checco' Bruni has made an immediate impact at the RS21 World Championship in Cannes, helping Italian entry Torpyone win the opening race just two days after his move from Luna Rossa to Tudor Team Alinghi was announced.
The seven-time world champion is racing as tactician aboard ITA 239 Torpyone, skippered by Eduardo Lupi, at the fifth edition of the championship, hosted by Yacht Club de Cannes from 28–31 October.
In light winds on Wednesday's opening day, Bruni helped the Italian crew take the first race victory in the 40-boat fleet. After three races, Torpyone was placed ninth overall.
Winning Chemistry – Celebrations aboard Torpyone underline the teamwork that helped Francesco Bruni make an immediate impact on his RS21 World Championship debut, just days after his move from Luna Rossa to Tudor Team Alinghi. Photo: Code Zero Digital
From Luna Rossa to Alinghi
Bruni's appearance in Cannes follows a significant development in his America's Cup career. After five campaigns with Luna Rossa, the Palermo-born sailor has joined Tudor Team Alinghi as helmsman and skipper of the Swiss challenger for the 38th America's Cup, scheduled for Naples in 2027.
Bruni helmed Luna Rossa during the 2021 America's Cup in Auckland, when the Italian team reached the Match against Emirates Team New Zealand. He was also central to the team's 2024 campaign in Barcelona, which ended in the Louis Vuitton Cup Final.
His career spans three Olympic classes, match racing, and professional sailing, but this week's championship is his first chance to compete in the RS21.
“For years, I've always wanted to race with the RS21, but I never managed it because of other commitments. It's a really fun boat. It's really reactive, and I like it very much,” Bruni said.
World Championship Fleet Attracts Top Sailors
The RS21 is a modern one-design keelboat designed for close, tactical racing, with an emphasis on teamwork, communication and responsive boat handling. The Cannes championship brings together professional sailors, experienced amateur campaigners and younger crews in a growing international fleet.
RS21 International Class Manager Liam Willis welcomed Bruni's participation.
“We’re delighted to welcome Checco to the RS21 World Championship here in Cannes,” he said. “The fleet has been growing year on year, attracting big names from the national circuits, as well as pro sailors, Olympians and world-class sailors like Checco.”
Worlds in Full Flight – The 40-boat RS21 World Championship fleet races off Cannes, where professional sailors and amateur crews are competing in the fifth edition of the international one-design championship. Photo: Code Zero Digital
Willis added that the mix of professional and Corinthian sailors was contributing to a highly competitive championship.
Torpyone Targets Further Gains
Torpyone, representing Varazze Club Nautico, has established a strong record in Italian RS21 competition.
The team won the RS21 Yamamay Cup in 2024 and has steadily improved its World Championship performances, finishing 12th in 2022 and 2023 before climbing to sixth in 2024.
Bruni was enthusiastic about his first outing with the crew. “I am happy with the crew, Torpyone, and with Lupi. It’s a nice experience,” he said.
Championship Contenders – Eduardo Lupi's Torpyone (ITA 239), with America's Cup star Francesco Bruni aboard as tactician, races alongside Hong Kong's Les Freaks (HKG 295), skippered by Marco Pocci, which leads the RS21 World Championship after three races with a 4-5-1 scoreline. Photo: Code Zero Digital
With three more days of racing scheduled, Torpyone will look to build on its opening-race victory and move up the overall standings before the championship concludes on Saturday, 31 October.
