The Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Italian team, led by Max Sirena, triumphed in the Series 7-1 in the Prada Cup over Ineos Team UK, ensuring the right to challenge the New Zealanders on the occasion of the 36th America’s Cup presented by Prada, scheduled from the 6th to the 15th of March, 2021 in the Hauraki Gulf. For only the third time in history, an Italian team will compete in the America’s Cup Match. There have been only two precedents: in 1992 with the legendary Moro di Venezia led by Raul Gardini with Paul Cayard at the helm and in 2000, with the first Luna Rossa, entrusted to Francesco De Angelis.
This remarkable goal has been achieved through passion and intensive training, but also through the support of a massive technological foundation rooted in the creative and engineering skills that are inseparable from a perception of Italian identity recognized around the world.
Panerai serves as the Official Timekeeper and being recognized as the leading Italian brand at the queen of regattas in support of an Italian team is an honor and a privilege for Panerai. Working with Max Sirena and the entire Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sailing team has allowed Panerai to create a collection of advanced watches, inspired by the technologies and materials used in the America’s Cup, such as Carbotech, based on carbon fiber, and known for being used to build Luna Rossa’s AC75 monohull.
This collaboration is not only based on the applications of high-performance timepieces, but it is rooted in technical innovation, Italian excellence, and love of the sea and adventure, values with which Panerai is associated and that are also shared by Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli.
Looking at the two-month interval between the America’s Cup World Series regattas in December and the Prada Cup, it is clear that the Italian team improved its technique, concentrating and keeping its head down, making progress all the while. The strategy was put to the test at sea. While other challengers pursued maximum speed, Luna Rossa focused constantly on improving transitions, maneuverability, and aggressiveness from the very beginning.
In an interview released by Max Sirena, the Team Director shared his profound happiness by stating that he is happy not only because of the race results, but also because the team received support from everyone involved in the project. They are now focused on the next chapter of the regatta and won’t lose momentum. The team will keep the pace up without letting their guard down.
As written a few days ago by the skipper Checco Bruni, “Italians are Coming!”
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