The route to the 38th America's Cup is one of research, preparation and continuous development. Following its victory in the Preliminary Regatta Sardinia, held in its home waters off Cagliari, Luna Rossa now turns its attention to Naples. As part of this journey, Pirelli's presence on Luna Rossa's boats is expanding: the company's logo, already visible on the mainsail, will also appear on the foils and rudder of the AC40 - the 40-foot foiling monohull used for training and preliminary regattas – and of the AC75, the 75-foot yacht with which Luna Rossa will compete in the 38th America's Cup.
A signature that brings a deeper collaboration to the surface. Regarding these appendages that provide control to the AC75 “flying” vessel, Pirelli (Official Sponsor and Technical Partner) has contributed technological expertise to the Luna Rossa development team by sharing its know-how on innovative materials. This represents a transfer of skills from the tyre industry to the marine sector, aimed at boosting the performance of the Italian AC75.
Pirelli's technological contribution to the AC75 foils
But how do foils work? Acting like real wings, they generate the lift needed to raise the hull above the water, enabling the vessel to reach the high speeds characteristic of this type of boat. Pirelli has brought its expertise to bear on the hydrodynamic performance of the boat's appendages, helping to optimise their behaviour in the most demanding phases of sailing.
From automotive to sailing
The collaboration draws on the company's long-standing advanced materials research – the same field behind solutions such as PNCS (Pirelli Noise Cancelling System), the technology designed to reduce rolling noise generated within the tyre's internal cavity. Expertise developed in the automotive world is now finding new applications, including the one currently under development with Luna Rossa.
