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Sailing, the nights of Luna Rossa start again: between sweet memories and new (flying) ambitions

America’s Cup 2020, the nights of Luna Rossa are starting again
America’s Cup 2020, the nights of Luna Rossa are starting again
America’s Cup 2020, the nights of Luna Rossa are starting again
America’s Cup 2020, the nights of Luna Rossa are starting again
America’s Cup 2020, the nights of Luna Rossa are starting again
America’s Cup 2020, the nights of Luna Rossa are starting again
America’s Cup 2020, the nights of Luna Rossa are starting again
America’s Cup 2020, the nights of Luna Rossa are starting again
America’s Cup 2020, the nights of Luna Rossa are starting again
America’s Cup 2020, the nights of Luna Rossa are starting again

The mainsail, the jib and the spinnaker. Then again the boom, with sheets and halyards. Until the feared askew and to the irremediable scuffiata. Technical terms that, at the turn of the end of 1999 and early 2000, entered the homes of Italians thanks to night enterprises of Luna Rossa in the America’s Cup, the most famous sailing competition as well as the oldest trophy in the history of sport.

“How did the name come about? One evening at dinner on Tuscan hills of Tirli, close Punta Ala, we wrote about ten options on a piece of paper, ”he revealed Patrizio Bertelli, managing director of Prada group and always passionate about sailing soul of the project. “The New Zealand boat we were supposed to challenge was called Black Magic, black magic. By contrast we then chose Red Moon».

In fact, to get to contend the coveted “jug” against the holders – the Team New Zealand, in fact – the Italian boat would have to contend with ten fierce opponents in the Louis Vuitton Cup. First the three Round Robin, closed in first place with ben 26 wins on 29 races, then the semifinals passed in extremis and finally the final with American One, won in comeback 5-4.

Luna Rossa raises the sky Luis Vuitton Cup 2000, as the Moor of Venice eight first, and wins the right to challenge the New Zealand defender. Meanwhile in Italy many people – although the regattas were held in Aukland – woke up in the middle of the night for incite the blue team, who had in the skipper Francesco De Angelis and in the tactical Torben Grael the most significant figures.

Despite the great enthusiasm, the last act of the America’s Cup ends with a clear 5-0 in favor of Black Magic, but it was still a definite defeat “high sail” for Luna Rossa. Which today, more than twenty years after those amazing nights that thrilled the country, try again the assault on the trophy: she is the challenger of record, which is the team that first launches the challenge to the reigning champions.

Which also this time are the New Zealanders, rose to the top the last edition after seventeen years old of bitter morsels. Luna Rossa returns to Auckland, therefore, with Bertelli always team principal – obviously – and a new team, but not too much: the skipper is Max Siren, who was also in 2000 in the role of assistant bowman, absent the figure of tactical, while at the helm there are James Spithill e Francesco Bruni.

Lots of technological innovations, on all the revolutionaries ali mobili that sprout from the sides of the hull, regulate the stability of the hull and allow it to “Get up in flight” and touch i 100 kilometers per hour, offering as little water resistance as possible. “These flying boats they are fantastic, the future of sailing », Bertelli said commenting on the spectacular images from New Zealand.

Where the curtain is now ready to rise: first there will be Prada Cup – the former Luis Vuitton Cup – where the blue boat will challenge the British Team Ineos and the Americans of American Magic. Whoever wins will contend with Team New Zealand for the 36esima America’s Cup. In Italy they start again the nights of Luna Rossa.

Here’s how to see the first races:

FRIDAY 15 JANUARY at 3 am
American Magic vs Ineos Uk
Ineos Uk vs Luna Rossa

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16 at 3 am
Luna Rossa vs American Magic
Ineos Uk vs American Magic

Live TV on Rai 2 and on the Sky thematic channel, Sky Sport America’s Cup, available on the 205 of the Sky remote control.
Diretta streaming su Rai Play, Sky Go e Now TV.

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