Italian capsize at America’s Cup venue

Barcelona, Spain (July 3, 2023) – America’s Cup Challenger Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli conducted their first sailing session at the 37th America’s Cup venue in their one design AC40 joining both NYYC American Magic and Alinghi Red Bull Racing who were all out training today.

The building ‘Garbi’ sea breeze delivered 7-9 knots at 1:00 pm before filling-in to 15 knots mid-afternoon and ending at just over 20 knots by early evening over a short, confused chop and the Italian team were quick to make the most of the conditions, starting fast and looking mightily impressive in their opening sailing session along the America’s Cup racecourse.

A crew swap after a short break brought the most dramatic moment of the day, however, with the AC40 getting high and loose downwind after a gybe on the chop causing the rudder to come out of the water and quickly the team were into a corkscrew capsize.

“Maybe the sea state was becoming a little bit bigger and just a little mistake ended up in a capsize which for these boats is quite normal,” noted Francesco Bruni. “But we wanted to do a shorter session anyway. We broke the wind instruments on the bow sprit, so we decided to go in.

“I think today was not a crazy day for waves, there were some waves for sure, it was not a flat spot, but I’m sure that we will see more than today. Definitely, it was more waves than the wind, a little bit of the sea state was not very organized, was a little bit confused, but yeah very interesting conditions for sure.”

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli will maintain their base in Cagliari for the continued work on the LEQ12 development prototype and split their time between training in Barcelona and Sardinia.

The Italian team joins the Swiss, USA, and British challengers which are already based at the 37th America’s Cup venue in Barcelona, Spain.

Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period opened December 1, 2021 and runs until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup may be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the venue reveal, confirming it would be Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup will be held in September/October 2024.

Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• K-Challenge Racing (FRA)

Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40) – Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 3 (AC40) – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 2024 (AC75) – Barcelona, Spain

Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.

Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Additional details: www.americascup.com/en/home

Source: ACE