Luna Rossa back at sea

You don't have to go far to find out where this boat took shape. It was in fact designed and built at the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli headquarters in Cagliari by resources within the team, in accordance with the rules imposed by the protocol of the 37th America's Cup. The result is an innovative design, complex in terms of engineering and technology, using experimental solutions in every sector and the latest-generation materials.

But how long did it take to make it happen? The answer is almost 10 months and over 30,000 work hours, thanks to more than 25 people and 40 members of the design team. For the construction of the hull and composite components, 5,000 m2 of carbon fibre applied to different materials of the structural core were used. It is fitted with a wing mast and the AC75-like sails use North Sails technology. The bowsprit will be smaller and will no longer be used for Code 0 (no longer required in the next edition of the Cup), but as a support to the technical equipment on board.

The news is not just about the boat itself, it also concerns the team. Since the last edition, the team has expanded to include many new, even very young talents who have strengthened the different departments (especially the design team and the sailing team). Training sessions at sea will begin in the next few days and include a crew rotation so that everyone is familiar with this new vessel.

The launch of the prototype was also an opportunity to renew the historic partnership that unites Pirelli and Luna Rossa. Marco Tronchetti Provera, Executive Vice President and CEO of Pirelli, stated: “Tradition, technology and passion for challenges are the main ingredients of the America's Cup, values that Pirelli has always supported. We are once again on board to support a project we believe in, a talented team and a boat, the Luna Rossa, which has over the years helped write important chapters in the history of this extraordinary competition. We are proud and honoured to see the Pirelli brand on these tradition-packed sails that will once again make many Italians dream, not just those who love sailing. The boat and the crew have the potential to win and to give us some serious thrills. Today we celebrate the beginning of another wonderful adventure."

The godmother of the launch, Miuccia Prada, broke the traditional bottle on the bow of the boat by christening it Luna Rossa so now...let the new challenge begin!