Luna Rossa unveil ‘a work of art’ in launching their America’s Cup boat
Luna Rossa have called their America’s Cup boat “a work of art that will leave its mark” after a glamorous launch revealed their AC75 with its shiny, silver monohull.
The shape was similar to the AC75s launched by Alinghi and Team New Zealand as the Italians unveiled their boat at their home base in Cagliari on Sunday.
The big difference, once the large black cover was pulled off the boat to blaring hooters, was its glimmering metallic exterior.
Luna Rossa are still trying to win the Auld Mug for the first time after losing the match race to Team NZ in Auckland in 2021. The Kiwis are defending the Cup in Barcelona in October.
The launches of each boat are significant for the syndicates in the build-up to racing. They reveal what design teams have been working on for nearly 100,000 hours behind closed doors, aiming to create the fastest boat possible.
Details of what innovations the Swiss, Italian and Kiwis have engineered were initially scarce, but Luna Rossa have been bullish about their creation ahead of its launch last weekend.
They were equally upbeat after unveiling their AC75 in public for the first time.
“It is a beautiful and radical boat that represents a step forward in terms of design and technology, born from an incredible collective effort,” Luna Rossa president Patrizio Bertelli said.
Max Sirena, Luna Rossa’s team director and skipper, said the design, technology and aesthetics were Italian-inspired.
“We finally have before our eyes the result of three years of work 'in the dark',” Sirena said.
“With only one boat at our disposal, we had to make brave choices, pushing ourselves to extremes in all areas open to development and research, thanks also to the know-how acquired with the LEQ12 prototype.
“It has been an immense team effort. I want to applaud every single member of Luna Rossa for having masterminded a work of art that will leave its mark.”
The Italians are expected to be among the leading challengers to take on Team NZ.
American Magic, Britannia and French challenger Orient Express Racing are the next teams to launch their 75ft foiling monohulls for racing in Barcelona between August and October.
Ahead of the official launch in Auckland on Thursday, Team NZ unveiled their Cup boat for the first time last Friday and have been sailing it around the Waitematā Harbour over the weekend.
The launch at Wynyard Point will reveal the name of Team NZ’s AC75.