Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli
Italian sailboat-racing syndicate established by Patrizio Bertelli to compete in the America's Cup.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli is an Italian professional sailing syndicate created by Prada chief executive Patrizio Bertelli to challenge for the America's Cup. The project began in 1997 after Bertelli's discussion with yacht designer Germán Frers evolved from a cruising-yacht concept into an America's Cup campaign. It initially raced under the name Prada Challenge on behalf of the Yacht Club Punta Ala, later adopting the Luna Rossa Challenge name and, from 2018, the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli identity after Pirelli joined Prada as a principal sponsor. The syndicate made an immediate impact in the 2000 America's Cup cycle. Skippered by Francesco de Angelis, it won the Louis Vuitton Cup on its first attempt, defeating AmericaOne 5–4 in the challenger final. Luna Rossa then lost the America's Cup match 5–0 to defending champion Team New Zealand. The result established the team as one of Italy's most prominent international sailing projects and began a recurring sporting rivalry with the New Zealand organization. Luna Rossa returned for the 2003 America's Cup as Challenger of Record. Its new boats did not deliver the expected performance, and the team was eliminated by OneWorld in the Louis Vuitton Cup semi-finals. For the 2007 event in Valencia, the syndicate reorganized, added Telecom Italia as a sponsor, moved its principal campaign activity to Spain, and expanded its sailing group with figures including Jimmy Spithill. It reached the Louis Vuitton Cup final but again lost to Emirates Team New Zealand. During the America's Cup hiatus after 2007, Luna Rossa remained active in international yacht racing. It competed in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, the Louis Vuitton Trophy, the Maxi circuit, the Audi MedCup and the Extreme Sailing Series. Its 2011 Extreme Sailing Series campaign was its first major sustained catamaran program and ended with an overall series victory. The team entered the 2013 America's Cup as the last challenger and formed a technical and operational partnership with Emirates Team New Zealand for the new AC72 foiling-catamaran era. Luna Rossa reached the challenger final after overcoming Artemis Racing in the semi-finals, but lost to New Zealand 7–1. It later withdrew from the 2017 competition after the yacht class was changed from the AC62 planned when its development program began to the smaller AC50. The withdrawal was a protest against changing the rules without unanimous competitor approval. After Emirates Team New Zealand won the 2017 Cup, Luna Rossa issued the next challenge on behalf of the Circolo della Vela Sicilia and became Challenger of Record for the 2021 America's Cup. It won the 2021 Prada Cup, defeating INEOS Team UK 7–1, before losing the America's Cup match to Team New Zealand 7–3. The campaign was notable for its dual-helm configuration, with Jimmy Spithill and Francesco Bruni sharing steering duties on opposite sides of the AC75. For the 2024 America's Cup in Barcelona, Luna Rossa again reached the challenger semi-finals and defeated American Magic, but lost the Louis Vuitton Cup final to INEOS Britannia 7–4. Technical problems affected the series, including a mainsail failure and a later mechanical issue. The wider program nevertheless won the Youth America's Cup and the inaugural Women's America's Cup in AC40-based side competitions. Since 2025, the syndicate has been preparing for the 2027 America's Cup in Naples under the burgee of the Circolo della Vela e del Remo Italia. The current program includes former Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Peter Burling and sailor Josh Junior.
History
Luna Rossa began in 1997 when Prada executive Patrizio Bertelli and yacht designer Germán Frers moved from discussing a cruising yacht to considering an America's Cup challenge. Within weeks, the core campaign organization had been assembled. The syndicate challenged for the 2000 Cup on behalf of Yacht Club Punta Ala under the Prada Challenge name. Its boats ITA-45 and ITA-48 were raced by Francesco de Angelis. Luna Rossa dominated the 2000 Louis Vuitton Cup qualification and knockout stages, then defeated AmericaOne 5–4 in the final. The team lost the America's Cup match to Team New Zealand without winning a race, but its debut victory made it the leading Italian challenger of its generation. For 2003, Luna Rossa became Challenger of Record and built ITA-74 and ITA-80. The boats were less competitive than expected, and OneWorld eliminated the team in the Louis Vuitton Cup semi-finals. The next campaign, for the 2007 Valencia Cup, involved a restructured organization, the Luna Rossa Challenge name, a new association with the Yacht Club Italiano and sponsorship from Telecom Italia. With Francesco de Angelis as skipper and Jimmy Spithill among the helmsmen, Luna Rossa reached the Louis Vuitton Cup final after defeating BMW Oracle Racing, but Emirates Team New Zealand won the final 5–0. Between America's Cup cycles, the organization broadened its competitive activity. It entered the 2009 Louis Vuitton Pacific Series and 2010 Louis Vuitton Trophy, raced large yachts in the Maxi circuit and Audi MedCup, and competed in the 2011 Extreme Sailing Series. The latter was significant because it marked the syndicate's first major catamaran campaign and produced an overall series win under Max Sirena. Luna Rossa entered the 2013 Cup late and partnered with Emirates Team New Zealand to accelerate AC72 development. It acquired AC45 boats for the America's Cup World Series, where Luna Rossa Piranha won the 2012–13 season after Oracle Team USA was disqualified. In the Louis Vuitton Cup, Luna Rossa finished second in the round robin, swept Artemis Racing in the semi-finals and then lost the challenger final to New Zealand 7–1. The syndicate intended to contest the 2017 event and opened a base in Cagliari, but withdrew after the competition moved from the planned AC62 to the smaller AC50 class. It subsequently supported Emirates Team New Zealand, including through Max Sirena's involvement, and issued the challenge for the 2021 event after New Zealand recovered the Cup. The 2021 campaign used the new AC75 foiling monohull and was branded Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli after Pirelli joined the sponsorship group. The team launched one boat in Cagliari and a second in Auckland. Its dual-helm arrangement paired Jimmy Spithill and Francesco Bruni. Luna Rossa finished second in the Prada Cup round robin, beat American Magic 4–0 in the semi-finals and defeated INEOS Team UK 7–1 in the final. In the America's Cup match, it briefly tied New Zealand at 3–3 before losing 7–3. For Barcelona 2024, Luna Rossa retained its Cagliari base and launched a new AC75. It again used Spithill and Bruni as helmsmen, finished second in the Louis Vuitton Cup round robin and beat American Magic 5–3 in the semi-finals. INEOS Britannia defeated it 7–4 in the final; a broken mainsail and a mechanical failure were among the technical setbacks. The organization also won the Youth America's Cup and Women's America's Cup through its associated teams. The 2027 challenge is being prepared from Cagliari for an event in Naples, now under the Circolo della Vela e del Remo Italia rather than the Circolo della Vela Sicilia. Peter Burling and Josh Junior joined the sailing organization for this campaign.
- 2025
Preparation for the 2027 Naples Cup
[1]The syndicate began preparing its next challenge under the Circolo della Vela e del Remo Italia.
- 2024
Youth and Women's America's Cup victories
[1]Associated Luna Rossa teams won both new side competitions in Barcelona.
- 2021
Prada Cup victory
[1]Luna Rossa beat INEOS Team UK 7–1 and became the 2021 America's Cup challenger.
- 2015
Withdrawal from the 2017 competition
[1]The syndicate withdrew in protest after the yacht class was changed from AC62 to AC50.
- 2013
AC72 challenger-final appearance
[1]After a technical partnership with Emirates Team New Zealand, Luna Rossa reached the 2013 Louis Vuitton Cup final.
- 2011
Extreme Sailing Series victory
[1]Luna Rossa won the Extreme Sailing Series during its only full participation in the circuit.
- 2007
Second challenger-final appearance
[1]The team reached the Louis Vuitton Cup final in Valencia and lost to Emirates Team New Zealand.
- 2000
First Louis Vuitton Cup victory
[1]Luna Rossa won the challenger series on its first America's Cup attempt, then lost the Cup match to Team New Zealand.
- 1997
Campaign founded
[1]Patrizio Bertelli and Germán Frers initiated the project that became Prada Challenge and later Luna Rossa.
Products and positioning
A high-investment, technology-led Italian sailing syndicate combining Prada's luxury-brand sponsorship platform with elite yacht design, engineering and international America's Cup competition.
Sailing equipment · 1999
America's Cup racing yachts
Luna Rossa designs, builds and races specialized America's Cup yachts rather than selling a conventional consumer product. Its campaigns have used International America's Cup Class monohulls, AC72 catamarans and AC75 foiling monohulls. Since the 2007 campaign, the boats have been built by Persico Marine in Italy.
Foiling sailing competition · 2012
AC45 and AC40 program
The team used AC45 catamarans to develop multihull skills and compete in the America's Cup World Series. In the Barcelona cycle, smaller AC40 boats supported the Youth America's Cup and Women's America's Cup programs associated with Luna Rossa.
Marketing campaigns
- 2024Barcelona America's Cup campaign
Spain · International
Luna Rossa reached the Louis Vuitton Cup final after defeating American Magic in the semi-finals.
Outcome. Lost the final to INEOS Britannia 7–4; associated youth and women's teams won their respective America's Cup competitions.
- 2021Prada Cup and America's Cup
New Zealand · International
As Challenger of Record, Luna Rossa organized and competed in the Prada Cup using AC75 foiling monohulls.
Outcome. Won the Prada Cup 7–1 and lost the America's Cup match to Team New Zealand 7–3.
- 201334th America's Cup campaign
United States · International
The syndicate raced AC72 catamarans and shared design information with Emirates Team New Zealand.
Outcome. Reached the challenger final and lost to Emirates Team New Zealand 7–1.
- 2011Extreme Sailing Series
International
Luna Rossa entered the catamaran-based circuit for the first time as a sustained campaign.
Outcome. Won the overall 2011 series.
- 2007Valencia America's Cup campaign
Spain · International
The reorganized Luna Rossa Challenge competed with Telecom Italia sponsorship and reached the challenger final.
Outcome. Lost the Louis Vuitton Cup final to Emirates Team New Zealand 5–0.
- 2003Second America's Cup campaign
New Zealand · International
Luna Rossa returned as Challenger of Record with two new IACC yachts.
Outcome. Eliminated by OneWorld in the Louis Vuitton Cup semi-finals.
- 2000First America's Cup campaign
New Zealand · International
Racing as Prada Challenge, the syndicate won the Louis Vuitton Cup and reached the America's Cup match.
Outcome. Lost the America's Cup match to Team New Zealand 5–0.
Brand decisions
2017
Challenge for the 2021 America's CupStrategyBackground
After Emirates Team New Zealand won the 2017 America's Cup, Luna Rossa sought to return to the competition.
Action taken
The team issued a challenge on behalf of the Circolo della Vela Sicilia and became Challenger of Record.
Aftermath
The team organized the Prada Cup and ultimately won the challenger series in 2021.
2015
Withdrawal over AC50 rule changeStrategyBackground
Luna Rossa had been developing an AC62 catamaran for the 2017 America's Cup when the yacht class was changed to AC50.
Action taken
The syndicate withdrew, arguing that the change had not received unanimous consent from the competitors.
Aftermath
Luna Rossa later supported Emirates Team New Zealand and returned as Challenger of Record for the 2021 Cup.
Recent events
- 2024
Luna Rossa wins the Youth and Women's America's Cups[1]
Other
Luna Rossa-associated teams won both the Youth America's Cup and the inaugural Women's America's Cup during the Barcelona cycle.
- 2021
Luna Rossa wins the 2021 Prada Cup[1]
Other
The Italian syndicate beat INEOS Team UK 7–1 in the challenger final and advanced to the America's Cup match.
- 2021
Luna Rossa loses the 2021 America's Cup[1]
Other
Team New Zealand defeated Luna Rossa 7–3 in the America's Cup match in Auckland.
- 2017
Luna Rossa becomes Challenger of Record for 2021[1]
Other
Following New Zealand's Cup victory, Luna Rossa issued the next challenge and assumed the Challenger of Record role.
- 2015
Luna Rossa withdraws from the 2017 America's Cup[1]
Other · Regulation
The team withdrew after the planned AC62 class was replaced by the AC50 without unanimous competitor approval.
- 2000
Luna Rossa wins the 2000 Louis Vuitton Cup[1]
Other
The first Luna Rossa campaign defeated AmericaOne 5–4 in the challenger final and earned the right to race Team New Zealand in the America's Cup match.
Sources2 sources
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