The many moons of the America's Cup

After Azzurra, Italia and the Moro di Venezia, it is Luna Rossa that brings our country back to the world of major sailing competitions. Since its first participation in 2000, the boat has taken part in six America's Cup editions, twice winning the two Challenger Selection Series (Louis Vuitton Cup 2000 and PRADA Cup 2021). Since 2019, the team has been named after the two co-title sponsors, becoming Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli.

February 1997: one evening, in an office near the Duomo cathedral in Milan, Patrizio Bertelli and Argentinian yacht designer German Frers meet to discuss the construction of a cruising yacht. All of a sudden German Frers asks: "What don't we consider the America's Cup? Let's challenge for the America's Cup!". Starting from scratch, the core group is set up in a matter of 15 days, heading for a challenge that will remain in the memory of Italians and sailing enthusiasts worldwide. It is the birth of team Luna Rossa. Exactly three years later, in February 2000, Luna Rossa wins the Louis Vuitton Cup in Auckland, New Zealand, hereby gaining access to the final match against Black Magic. For the first time in history an Italian skipper, Francesco de Angelis, reaches the final stage of the America's Cup, and for the first time there is no American boat in the match. Although the Cup will remain in New Zealand, Luna Rossa sets an unprecedented record: 38 wins out of the 49 preliminary regattas sailed.

In January of 2001 Patrizio Bertelli decides to bring Luna Rossa back on the water and once again challenges the kiwi team. During the preliminary regattas, however, ITA 74 and ITA 80, the two boats launched in Punta Ala in 2002, do not perform as hoped for. Luna Rossa will stop at the Louis Vuitton Cup semi-finals when beaten by the emerging Swiss team Alinghi, who will go on to win the America's Cup. In 2007, for the first time after over one century, the Cup is to be held in Europe.

After having disputed two challenges under the Punta Ala burgee, Luna Rossa chooses Genova for this third campaign, a city that boasts the most ancient yacht club in the Mediterranean. Of the twelve teams challenging for the trophy, Luna Rossa is the first to set up its base in Valencia, the city chosen to host the thirty second America's Cup. The team base is the elegant building designed by architect Renzo Piano, whose walls are entirely lined with used mainsails and jibs, a strong statement that proves the Italian team's environmental commitment. After having defeated the American team Oracle 5-1, also thanks to the young and talented James Spithill, Luna Rossa finishes its campaign in the Louis Vuitton Cup final, after five hard-fought races in which Emirates Team New Zealand gains the upper hand.

On October 20th 2010 Patrizio Bertelli declares his fourth challenge with the Circolo della Vela Sicilia; for the first time entrusts Max Sirena with the role of skipper. Two years later, the Luna Rossa Team Principal will be the first Italian in history to enter the America's Cup Hall of Fame. 2012 will also be the year in which the revolutionary AC72 catamaran with wing mast and foils is launched, a vessel that will mark a turning point in the history of the Cup. The Louis Vuitton Cup kicks off in August of 2013 in the bay of San Francisco, California: for the third time, out of four participations, Luna Rossa qualifies for the Finals. The outcome of the racing however has American team Oracle beating the New Zealand team in a legendary comeback during the decisive Match race.

Once again Challenger of Record, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli develops with Defender Emirates Team New Zealand the new Class of boats for the 2021 edition: the revolutionary AC75 foiling monohulls. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli wins the Challenger Selections Series (PRADA Cup), beating the British team Ineos 7-1, and after more than 20 years finds itself once again facing the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand in the waters of Auckland. The final match takes place from 10 to 17 March 2021: after 10 hard-fought races that kept all Italian fans in suspense, the 36th America's Cup - presented by PRADA closes with a score of 7 to 3 in favour of the Defender. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli achieved the best result ever for an Italian team.

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, through the Circolo della Vela Sicilia, launches its sixth challenge to the America's Cup, to be raced in Barcelona between August and September 2024. The 37th edition of the America's Cup will once again be contested with the AC75 foiling monohulls upgraded to Version 2. The format of the 2024 edition includes: 3 Preliminary Regattas, Youth and Women's regattas, Challenger Selection Series and the final Cup Match. The first two Preliminary regattas, the Youth and Women's races will be sailed on board AC40 foiling monotypes; the last preliminary regatta, the Challenger Selections Series and the final Cup match will use AC75s.