America’s Cup: Italians reveal war chest, venues

Italian America’s Cup challenger Luna Rossa have confirmed a massive €65m ($80m US) sponsorship for the next event.

The support comes from fashion house Prada, their long-term supporter, and will be paid over four installments through to 2021 when the event is scheduled to be raced in Auckland.

The huge sponsorship confirms the level of intent from the Italians who are the Challenger of Record, working alongside America’s Cup holders Emirates Team New Zealand to shape the 36th edition of the regatta.

Luna Rossa signed on as the challenger of record within seconds of Team New Zealand’s cup-clinching race over Oracle Team USA in Bermuda last June.

“The sponsorship of Luna Rossa’s participation in the America’s Cup is in line with the company’s communication strategy to promote the Prada name and brand,” Prada confirmed in a statement.

“The company has taken into account many factors, including the size of the competition and the expected amount of press coverage of the competition, which will attract massive attention all around the world and tremendous press coverage from both the traditional ones and the new technologies media.”

The sponsorship will include participation in lead up events they indicated were planned for New Zealand, the United States, Asia and Europe.

Prada’s chief executive officer and executive director Patrizio Bertelli also heads the Luna Rossa syndicate.

Luna Rossa were instrumental in seeing the America’s Cup return to monohulls after three editions of racing in multihulls.

They sat out the last America’s Cup, frustrated at Oracle constantly tweaking the rules. They have shared information and technology with Team New Zealand for the 2013 and 2016 regattas.

Prada have also replaced Louis Vuitton as naming rights sponsors for the challenger series to be sailed in Auckland that will now be known as the Prada Cup.

Source: www.stuff.co.nz

Key dates:
✔ September 28, 2017: 36th America’s Cup Protocol released
✔ November 30, 2017: AC75 Class concepts released to key stakeholders
✔ January 1, 2018: Entries for Challengers open
March 31, 2018: AC75 Class Rule published
June 30, 2018: Entries for Challengers close
August 31, 2018: Location of the America’s Cup Match and The PRADA Cup confirmed
August 31, 2018: Specific race course area confirmed
December 31, 2018: Late entries deadline
March 31, 2019: Boat 1 can be launched
2nd half of 2019: 2 x America’s Cup World Series Preliminary Events
February 1, 2020: Boat 2 can be launched
During 2020: 3 x America’s Cup World Series Preliminary Events
December 10-20, 2020: America’s Cup Christmas Race
January and February 2021: The PRADA Cup Challenger Selection Series
March 2021: The America’s Cup Match

Protocol of the 36th America’s Cup
Key Points of the Protocol
Deed of Gift