America's Cup: Jimmy Spithill confirms retirement after Luna Rossa defeat to Britannia

Saturday, 5 October 2024

One of New Zealand's greatest sporting rivals calls it quits, but not without a special mention to the Kiwis.

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Jimmy Spithill stepped off the defeated Luna Rossa boat and decided enough was enough.

The Australian sailing great, 45, confirmed his retirement from the sport only moments after returning to shore, cooling off from the final race of an intense Louis Vuitton Cup decider the Italians lost 7-4 to Britannia in Barcelona on Saturday (NZ time).

“I really think I’m at the end of the line now. I think this will be it for me,” Spithill said.

“It’s probably time the gloves are hung up.”

Luna Rossa’s challenge to win the America’s Cup for the first time had been crushed, as Britannia advanced to next weekend’s match race against Team New Zealand.

Sir Ben Ainslie and Jimmy Spithill embraced after Britannia beat Luna Rossa in the challenger series final.

Disappointed, clearly, but Spithill seemed at peace. He wasn’t firing shots at anyone and reflected on a supreme career at the top of the sport for the best part of two decades.

He has been one of the great pantomime villains in Kiwi sport, needling New Zealanders with sharp, dry retorts.

None were more infamous than his line to the Dean Barker-led Team New Zealand crew when, as Oracle Team USA skipper, his team trailed the Kiwis 8-1 in San Francisco’s Cup match in 2013.

“Imagine if these guys lost from here,” he said. They did, of course, losing 9-8 as Spithill inspired an iconic comeback victory in the Cup’s 173-year history.

After placing his glaring sunglasses on his cap, moving calmly with a grin through each interview while completing his media duties, the Luna Rossa co-helmsman said he was indeed finished with competitive sailing.

“As an athlete, that's it for me,” Spithill said.

Barcelona was Spithill’s eighth Cup campaign after first skippering an Australian challenge in Auckland in 2000. He has contested the last four match races between 2010 and 2021, winning the first two with Oracle Team USA before back-to-back losses to the Kiwis in 2017 (with Oracle) and with Luna Rossa in Auckland three years ago.

Jimmy Spithill confirmed his retirement from competitive sailing.

He said the build-up to Barcelona had pushed him to the limit. It was Luna Rossa’s sixth unsuccessful challenge.

“You've got to be all-in for these campaigns. You put in so much time and preparation,” he said.

“If you don't, you're going to let people down. I felt like I was hanging on to do that this time.”

Spithill said he had relished his battles with everyone, especially the Kiwis.

Jimmy Spithill has often been sharp in media interviews.

“One thing you always want is to go against the very best. The Kiwis, in a lot of sports, are the very best,” he said.

“I've got great relationships with all of the guys in the New Zealand team. Going against guys like Glenn [Ashby], Peter [Burling], Blair [Tuke], there are so many. They get the best out of you, ironically. It's been a real privilege.”

As he paid tribute to Luna Rossa’s efforts, their owner Patrizio Bertelli and credited the performance of the British, who will have a team competing in the match race for the first time since 1964, Spithill’s interview with Stuff was interrupted by his counterpart, Sir Ben Ainslie.

Jimmy Spithill has raced in eight America’s Cups.

Britannia skipper Ainslie said Spithill was “the ultimate professional”. Namely adversaries, they sailed together to defeat Team NZ in San Francisco in 2013.

“We’ve had some good battles over the years and some good wins together,” he said, to which Spithill replied “hats off, so much respect”.

“I wish you all the best for the series. Keep on doing what you're doing, really impressed,” Spithill added.

He raved about the developments of the boats since 2000, not mentioning his earlier gripes about technical features onboard the AC75 foiling monohulls which Team NZ, the defenders, implemented for the 37th Cup cycle.

“If you told me this is where it would be, with these kind of boats, catamarans and foils, I would think you're absolutely crazy,” he said.

Spithill also indicated he was ready to hand over the controls to the next generation and said the talent in Luna Rossa’s women and youth teams was amazing. Coaching might be his calling.

“The level they're at in their careers is so far advanced from where I was at their age,” Spithill said.

“It shows the sport and Italian sailing is in the best hands. I'm excited to see them pick up the bull and run with it.”

In his farewell interview as an America’s Cup sailor, Spithill’s departing remark was succinct.

“What a ride.”

Louis Vuitton Cup final

– Britannia 7-4 Luna Rossa