Australian-born Jimmy Spithill appears destined to sign on with Luna Rossa as the Italian syndicate makes moves for the next America's Cup regatta.
Luna Rossa went down to Team New Zealand 7-3 in the Cup match in Auckland last week, and are looking to retain the majority of their crew for their next challenge.
The ability for Luna Rossa to keep sailors around may be tricky due to new citizenship rules, which state crew members must either hold a passport of the country of the team's yacht club as at 19 March this year, or been physically present in that country (or in Auckland with the team for the Cup) for two of the previous three years prior to 18 March 2021.
However Spithill fits the mould having been in Italy and linked with Luna Rossa for the majority of the last three years. Per rules, he could also join forces with an Australia outfit should one enter, or skipper a team from an "emerging nation" under an exemption.