AC34: The Other Shoe Drops

San Francisco, CA (July 2, 2013) Today the team Luna Rossa Challenge 2013 will file a protest before the International Jury of the 34th America’s Cup against the measures introduced by the Regatta Director on Friday 29th of June (Regatta Notices 185 and 189).

The Italian protest follows a similar protest by Emirates Team New Zealand.

Luna Rossa considers that, by issuing these documents, the Regatta Director has blatantly breached the rules governing the 34th America’s Cup and has exceeded his jurisdiction and authority.

“I’m not saying all the changes have been made for them (ORACLE TEAM USA), but it’s nothing related to safety,” said Max Sirena, the skipper of Luna Rossa. “What really upsets me is that there is one boat sailing (ORACLE TEAM USA) since they launched on April 24 who has been sailing out of the class rule. Why design a boat that doesn’t comply with the class rule? And then one week before the Louis Vuitton Cup, you (Regatta Director Iain Murray) ask the other teams to change the position of the rudders and the elevators…”

Luna Rossa has also asked that the protest is heard before the first race of the Round Robins, scheduled the 7th of July (Luna Rossa vs. Emirates Team New Zealand).

Luna Rossa Challenge statement – Official event report