CONI awarded the “Gold Medals for Athletic Valour” to the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sailing team in recognition of their victory in the PRADA Cup in 2021 in Auckland (New Zealand). On that occasion, after winning the Challenger Selection Series (PRADA Cup), eliminating the other challengers INEOS Team UK and American Magic, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli faced the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand in the Cup Final Match, bringing home three victories, the best result ever for an Italian team in the history of the America’s Cup. Receiving the medals awarded by CONI on the direct recommendation of FIV «to Italian athletes who have achieved ‘absolute’ sporting results, titles or records at world and European, national and international level and who have distinguished themselves at the Olympic Games» were: Max Sirena (Skipper and Team Director), Romano Battisti, Giulio Bertelli, Nicholas Brezzi, Davide Cannata, Michele Cannoni, Matteo Celon, Pierluigi De Felice, Shannon Falcone, Emanuele Liuzzi, Marco Mercuriali, Umberto Molineris, Francesco Mongelli, Gilberto Nobili, Jacopo Plazzi, Pietro Sibello, Andrea Tesei, Vasco Vascotto and Enrico Voltolini. *
*Helmsman Francesco Bruni did not receive the medal of merit, having already been awarded the prestigious CONI ‘Golden Collar’ in 1994 as World Champion in the Laser Class.