Spithill linked with Italy

America’s Cup skipper Jimmy Spithill has been linked to Italy’s Luna Rossa syndicate.

The two-time Cup winner is desperate to stay in the game after his demise in Bermuda last year and with it looking increasingly like that his American outfit Oracle Team USA won’t be involved in the 2021 regatta, it seems the Australian could return to his old Italian roots.

Italian publication Vento e Vele reported that the link between Spithill and Challenger of Record Luna Rossa, is as good as done. He has been spotted in Cagliari, Sardinia, in recent weeks where the Italians are setting up base for their well-funded campaign.

Spithill was at the helm of Luna Rossa during the 2007 America’s Cup in Valencia where Luna Rossa lost the challengers final to Emirates Team New Zealand.

Spithill subsequently moved on to Oracle Team USA where he won the 2010 and 2013 America’s Cups.

The Italians are eager to use this campaign to nurture local sailing talent but an experienced hand on the wheel of the radical foiling

75-foot monohulls would certainly be an asset.

The hard-nosed Spithill, 38, who has been in the Cup game since

2000 with Young Australia, has extensive foiling experience.

French publication Cup Legend also reported that ‘‘rumours indicate a return of James Spithill in the Italian team’’.

Spithill was a fan favourite with Italians during the 2007 Valencia racing where he earned his nickname ‘‘Pitbull’’ through his aggressive pre-start tactics.