Born in Grosseto (Italy), he has been with the Luna Rossa team since its first America's Cup challenge. After studying as a surveyor and completing his military service, "Gianni" began working as a rigger in Punta Ala, and in 1997 he joined Luna Rossa as the winch manager for the America's Cup Class boats that would then compete in the 31st edition of the America’s Cup in 2000. He took part in the subsequent Luna Rossa campaigns, managing the deck equipment. In 2010 he was the boat captain of the TP52 Luna Rossa, and in 2011 he was the shore team manager of the Extreme 40 catamaran with which the Italian team won the Extreme Sailing Series. A sailing enthusiast through and through, he has raced in the Laser and Soling classes and has participated in numerous offshore races. Since 2016 he has competed in the international vintage yacht circuit, achieving top results on the 12-meter SI Nyala and Kookaburra II (winning several world and European titles), as well as aboard classic yachts such as Linnet (New York 30’) and Scud (Bar Harbor 31).