Tita and Banti set course for Los Angeles 2028, Olympic campaign resumes

Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti had announced their retirement after winning back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2020 and Paris 2024. Rumours had been circulating about a possible reunion; today the Italian Sailing Federation has confirmed that they will sail together again, officially launching their campaign for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The programme includes a return to racing on the Nacra 17, structured in two distinct phases. Until July 2027, Tita will be engaged with Luna Rossa in the America’s Cup; after that, the crew will focus full-time on Olympic preparation.

“The Olympic campaign for Los Angeles 2028 has begun,” said Tita. “I will be racing with Caterina, with whom I have already shared two successful Olympic cycles. The programme will be divided into two phases: until July 2027 my priority will be Luna Rossa and the America’s Cup, then we will be full-time on the Nacra 17. It is a major challenge, and we are ready to face it. I would like to thank the Federation and the Guardia di Finanza Sailing Section for their support and trust.”

For Banti, the return to racing comes after a period of pause and reflection following the Paris 2024 Games, during which she engaged in new projects and began building a professional path alongside her sporting career.

“After Paris 2024 I had said I would retire,” she explained. “Over the past year I have been involved in new projects and started building a career beyond sport. I also had time to reflect and recover, and in the end I realised that I still want to continue as an athlete. That is why Ruggero and I decided to get back in the game for Los Angeles 2028, while continuing the projects we have both started. It will be a fascinating challenge, and we will do our best. I thank the Federation and the Circolo Canottieri Aniene for their support and trust.”

The relaunch of the Tita–Banti team therefore marks the beginning of a new Olympic cycle, built on a technical programme that combines the America’s Cup commitment with dedicated preparation on the foiling Nacra 17 catamaran.

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