Italian syndicate puts on united front
Italian America’s Cup syndicate Luna Rossa are set to resume training with a boat modified to comply with the social distancing rules for the coronavirus pandemic.
Italy has been the hardest hit country in Europe and Luna Rossa lost the chance to host the opening America’s Cup world series regatta in Cagliari this month which was cancelled amid health fears.
Luna Rossa also had their share of problems with their boat losing its mast in one training mishap and having its bowsprit and part of its bow torn off in another incident.
Now Luna Rossa are out to make up for lost time.
Syndicate skipper
Max
Sirena revealed they were allowed to resume training but would need to comply with government health restrictions.
That would see them sail the radical 75-foot foiling monohull with just four sailors on board instead of the usual 11.
For the purpose of training, they had brought in engines to replicate the power produced by their absent grinders.
‘‘This will allow us to continue our tests,’’ Sirena told La Gazzetta. ‘‘We know everything is relative at times like this . . . the important thing is not to give up and continue to fight, united.’’
The syndicate was also doing its bit to help the struggling health workers battling the pandemic. It had turned its design and build expertise to producing protective visors for health workers in Sardinia.
The Prada Cup challenger series is set to start in January 2021 with the winner of that taking on defender Team New Zealand in the America’s Cup match in March.