Luna Rossa sets sail from Spain

The countdown has officially begun: less than a year from now, the 2024 America's Cup will start in Barcelona. On the road to the world's oldest sporting competition, there are the "preliminary regattas." From September 15th to 17th, in the waters of Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain (45 km from the Catalan capital), the five challengers and the defender will clash for the first time aboard the AC40s, the new foiling class capable of reaching maximum speeds of over 45 knots. Formerly known as the World Series, these races will serve to test the boats and generate public interest.

Following their victory in the Prada Cup in 2021 and their near-conquest of the "Auld Mug," Pirelli, as Co-Title Sponsor, continues to support Luna Rossa on their journey to the next America's Cup. So, it's back to the sea. But whether it's on the road, track, or water, Pirelli's commitment remains the same: to seek excellence by pushing their limits with increasingly high-performance products, innovative technologies, a steadfast focus on sustainability and social responsibility. The partnership with Luna Rossa is another path to explore, grounded in shared values like Italian heritage, technological challenge, competition, teamwork, material research, and the perfect balance between power and control.

The Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team will make their debut in the race field for the 37th America's Cup with the AC40: a 40-foot foiling monohull identical for all teams. At first glance, it may appear to be a scaled-down version of the AC75s (the boats for the upcoming America's Cup). However, there are some differences, starting with the crew: on the AC75s, there are 8 crew members, including "cyclors", the "human engines" who generate power. On the AC40s, there are only 4 people: two helmsmen and two trimmers (who handle the sails). Cyclors are replaced by battery power, while an autopilot system maintains stable flight. The AC40s will also be used for the Youth and Puig Women's America's Cup, parallel events to the America's Cup reserved for under-25 and female crews.

In addition to the America's Cup Defender (Emirates Team New Zealand), the event will feature five challengers: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, INEOS Britannia, Alinghi Red Bull Racing, NYYC American Magic, and Orient Express Racing Team. The regattas will take place from Friday to Sunday, from 15:30 to 17:30, with a practice race on Thursday. The spectacle is guaranteed: all teams will line up together on the starting line for a series of fleet regattas. On Sunday, the top two teams will compete in the final race, which will be a Match Race (one-on-one). The event's program will be enriched with numerous activities on land in the Race Village, where you can watch the teams' dock-out shows every morning and follow the races on the screens set up inside.

There will be a total of three preliminary regattas. After Vilanova i la Geltrú, the teams will head to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for a second regatta from November 29th to December 2nd, 2023, still aboard the AC40s. The third and final preliminary regatta will take place in August 2024 in Barcelona. In this last case, all teams will race for the first time with their new AC75s, the same boats they will battle with just a few weeks later in the America's Cup. The 37th edition will continue until October 2024.