Challengers for Now, Season 2

America’s Cup Challenger of Record, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, released Season 2 of Challengers for Now which provides four new chapters that describe the team’s journey towards the 36th America’s Cup. Here’s the tease:

It is story of people and groups, of challenges and obstacles, of determination and commitment to grow as a team that works together without losing sight of one common goal: to win the America’s Cup.

The story unfolds in four chapters that describe the team’s months in Cagliari before moving to Auckland (NZ), where the first regattas will begin in December 2020 with the PRADA America’s Cup World Series and the PRADA Christmas Race (December 17-20), followed by the PRADA Cup that will elect the challenger who will race in the Final Match of the 36th America’s Cup presented by PRADA.

During this last period, training has intensified. It has taken many hours of sailing to get to know the boat. It is not simple: the AC75 is a complex and completely new “machine”, and helming it requires teamwork, coordination, and optimized communication. It is a relationship of trust that must be earned every day, through difficulties, sacrifice, and rewards for the entire group.

Luna Rossa is not just a boat that “flies on the water” at 100 kilometres per hour. Behind this ambitious project are hours spent at the simulator, hours spent by the design and shore teams developing the boat lines and building the components of the AC75.

It is a complex project that has reached millimetric levels of precision. Tenths of grams are removed from the hull to gain a tenth of a knot on the water. It is precisely through these fractions of numbers that regattas are won.

Interviews with team members and exclusive onboard images enrich the story with a unique insider’s perspective on the life of a group of over 100 people who over time have developed into a close-knit and motivated team.

This project was produced with the creative support of M&CSaatchi – Creative Partner of the team – and the artistic contribution of the production company Utopia. Film cameras followed the daily activities of the team for weeks, achieving a unique perspective on the constantly evolving challenge of Luna Rossa, as they worked to describe to viewers what it means to be an America’s Cup team.

Max Sirena, Skipper and Team Director:
“We are happy to continue sharing with our fans and the general public the story behind a project as complex as is an America’s Cup campaign. Ours is a story of sports but also of technology that involves partners, suppliers, technicians. It is a 100% Italian challenge in which the top talents from our country are contributing to make a dream come true: the conquest of the oldest trophy in the world of sports. It is a historical period in which we are particularly proud of representing Italy. We are now facing the final part of our journey that will require even greater focus and commitment to reach our goal. It is a tough one, but it is what we expected, and it is why we are now here in Auckland.”

Carlo Noseda, Managing Partner M&CSaatchi:
“We are thrilled with the work done and honoured at having had this opportunity to observe the team so closely. The teamwork required to build the boat and then improve it, with each tack, is unbelievable. We wanted to describe this adventure with special attention for each incredible detail, with the goal of bringing all Italians closer to this wonderful sport. Fair winds Luna Rossa.”

Here’s the second season:

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Details: www.americascup.com

36th America’s Cup
In addition to Challenges from Italy, USA, and Great Britain that were accepted during the initial entry period (January 1 to June 30, 2018), eight additional Notices of Challenge were received by the late entry deadline on November 30, 2018. Of those eight submittals, entries from Malta, USA, and the Netherlands were also accepted. Here’s the list:

Defender:
• Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL)

Challengers:
• Luna Rossa (ITA) – Challenger of Record
• American Magic (USA)
• INEOS Team UK (GBR)
• Malta Altus Challenge (MLT) – WITHDRAWN
• Stars + Stripes Team USA (USA) – STATUS UNKNOWN
• DutchSail (NED) – WITHDRAWN

Of the three late entries, only Stars+Stripes USA remains committed, however, it is unclear what entry payments have been made, nor is there knowledge of a boat being actively built or sailing team assembled.

Key America’s Cup 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
✔ November 30, 2018: Late entries deadline
✔ March 31, 2019: Boat 1 can be launched (DELAYED)
✔ 2nd half of 2019: 2 x America’s Cup World Series events (CANCELLED)
✔ October 1, 2019: US$1million late entry fee deadline (NOT KNOWN)
✔ February 1, 2020: Boat 2 can be launched (DELAYED)
✔ April 23-26, 2020: First (1/3) America’s Cup World Series event in Cagliari, Sardinia (CANCELLED)
✔ June 4-7, 2020: Second (2/3) America’s Cup World Series event in Portsmouth, England (CANCELLED)
• December 17-20, 2020: Third (3/3) America’s Cup World Series event in Auckland, New Zealand
• January 15-February 22, 2021: The PRADA Cup Challenger Selection Series
• March 6-15, 2021: The America’s Cup Match

Youth America’s Cup Competition (CANCELLED)
• February 18-23, 2021
• March 1-5, 2021
• March 8-12, 2021

AC75 launch dates:
September 6, 2019 – Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), Boat 1
September 10, 2019 – American Magic (USA), Boat 1; actual launch date earlier but not released
October 2, 2019 – Luna Rossa (ITA), Boat 1
October 4, 2019 – INEOS Team UK (GBR), Boat 1
October 16, 2020 – American Magic (USA), Boat 2
October 17, 2020 – INEOS Team UK (GBR), Boat 2
October 20, 2020 – Luna Rossa (ITA), Boat 2

Details: www.americascup.com