Cagliari has been abuzz with activity as Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli intensifies its training regimen this week. The team’s Youth & Women’s squad members have been logging significant hours on the AC40, signaling a focused push towards the upcoming UniCredit Youth America’s Cup and the inaugural PUIG Women’s America’s Cup. With an abundance of talent within the Italian sailing ranks, many consider Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli to be the frontrunners for these prestigious events.
The team’s blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talent underscores their formidable reputation in the sailing world. The senior sailors are deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of Italian sailors, fostering a culture of rapid development and excellence within the team.
As preparations intensify, all eyes are on Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli as they gear up for what promises to be an exhilarating showdown on the water. With talent, determination, and a collective drive for success, they stand poised to make a significant impact in both the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup events.
Over a huge number of pre-starts, where the concentration was on accurate positioning and time-on-distance initially, it was then shaken up with the introduction of the Chase Boat acting as competition. Then over some short-course racing with Team Coach Jacopo Plazzi calling the shots and Paride Bovolenta driving, the Chase Boat team were pushing hard from the comfort of the power controls to keep the sailors on their toes and put them into hard decision-making situations. Electric to watch in practice and a huge skill to execute well. Over a near four hour session with the wind picking up from an initial 10-12 knots and peaking at 13-15 knots, this was another valuable day on the perfect waters of Cagliari.
Vittorio Bissaro, Flight Controller extraordinaire, spoke to the recon team afterwards and summed up the day saying: “It was a very interesting day in Cagliari, we don’t have many opportunities to face the waves during winter, this day was one of the few, so was super-interesting to go out and try and learn something, little tricks, super productive.” Talking about the Chase Boat interference, Vito explained it as: “To put pressure, develop communications…and keep the game tight.”
Vito also spoke about the new AC75 that will launch at the beginning of April with some very interesting comments saying: “For sure, it’s very aggressive, very nice boat, super clean, very nice solution. The LEQ was a development boat, so the intention was not to make the best boat just a nice platform to study while the AC75 is clearly a weapon. We looked at every detail, everything around the package and really looking forward to start sailing with it.”
More to come from the Italians in this intensive and future-looking race-training block. Italy looks very, very good right now.
On-Water Recon Report – Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli: The Italian team rolled out their LEQ12 prototype at 11:30, stepped mast and craned the yacht in by 11:50. The usual checks were executed at the dock before locking in M2-1 ready for dock-out scheduled at 13:00. The prototype was boarded by four sailors hosting two guests and only the flight controller/trimmers rotated during the session. The mainsail was hoisted and paired to the J2-2 while pressure was measured 10-12kn from 135° with a light building chop. The first foiling stint began with a light initial tow to accelerate the yacht which then self-took-off on port tack, several self-take-off only were observed during the day.
Once up and foiling, the team conducted the usual warm up tacks before bearing-away on starboard tack and executing some gybes, repeating this routine twice before decelerating after 20 minutes. In the meantime, top and bottom marks were set at 135°.
As the second foiling stint began, first few of numerous pre-starts of the day were practiced. Afterwards, the LEQ12 sailed an upwind and a downwind leg before stopping on the next upwind leg after 25 minutes. On the racetrack, one Chase Boat engaged with the prototype simulating matching racing behaviour. During this short break, trimmers swapped, and guest seats were occupied by members of the Women’s and Youth teams.
For the third foiling stint, lasting approx. another 20 minutes, the LEQ12 self-took-off up on port and bore away, gybed towards the bottom gate to practice some additional prestart drills. In these, the Chase Boat occasionally pressured the LEQ12 inside the box before racing against each other for some legs. On the bottom gate, the LEQ12 came off the foils after touching down on a JK manoeuvre and the team took the opportunity to swap sailors once again.
Back on the foils at 14:55, the team practiced additional starting drills and race afterwards. The breeze was building with the sea-state, now reaching 12-14kn from 125° with approximately 0.4m chop. After the second upwind leg, the yacht was decelerated ending the fourth stint after 45 minutes. Marks were collected during the last 10-minute-long foiling stint which saw the LEQ12 sail on the virtual track before straight-line sailing towards the harbour. The tow line was then passed the day was called at 16:10 with 115 minutes foiling time, 13 pre-starts, approximately 40 tacks and 30 gybes [Michele Melis AC Recon].
