Roma Tre University students are taking their first leap into the SuMoth Challenge with a fresh team built on curiosity, innovation, and sustainability.
Meet the Team
R3 Sailing Team is made up of Bachelor’s and Master’s students from Roma Tre University, united by a passion for innovation and sustainability. This is the team’s first experience working together, and they are eager to turn diverse ideas into a competitive Moth design.
The group is organized into specialized working groups, focusing on hydrodynamics, materials research, structures, and management, all guided by their tutor and team manager Dr. Lorenzo Burghignoli. Leadership is spearheaded by two remarkable women, Giulia Dolera and Simona Valenti, both Master’s students in aeronautical engineering.
Key roles include:
- Ivana Gambino – Communication Officer (Master’s in Sustainable Coastal and Ocean Engineering)
- Alessandro Di Giuseppe – Head of Structures and Materials (Master’s in Aeronautical Engineering)
- Luigi Massaro – Head of Optimization (Master’s in Aeronautical Engineering)
The team is committed to creating an inclusive and organized environment where every member’s skills contribute to the shared goal.
Joining the Challenge
As a new team, R3 Sailing Team has no previous competition history—but they are driven by a desire to apply their knowledge to real-world engineering challenges. Their goal is not only to meet the competition parameters but to make a lasting contribution to the field of nautical engineering.
The road ahead is long and demanding, but their passion and dedication form the foundation for overcoming challenges and achieving ambitious objectives.
Plans for 2026
Motivation alone is not enough. The team has defined a clear strategy for design, optimization, and construction, with each subgroup handling critical aspects of the Moth. Safety is a top priority: the team aims to prove that sustainability, performance, and safety can coexist, protecting both skippers and the environment.
From a technical perspective, R3 Sailing Team is focused on:
- Designing foils for early take-off
- Simulating fluid dynamics using OPENFOAM
- Constructing the Moth with recycled or low-impact materials
The ultimate goal is to compete in all three stages of the 2026 SuMoth Challenge, arriving at Lake Garda with a boat that embodies the innovation, resilience, and spirit of Roma Tre University.
