Please select your home edition
Edition
KZRaceFurlers

Prada + OneWorld = Luna Rossa Challenge

by Cup in Europe on 26 Sep 2004
Luna Rossa, which finished second in 1999 and failed to qualify for the finals in 2003, has budgeted €85 million for the next America’s Cup Challenge.

Marco Tronchetti Provera, chairman of Telecom Italia and an avid sailor, announced at a press conference in the port city of Genoa that Italy's largest telephone company would support the Luna Rossa challenge by acquiring 49 per cent of the team from Prada.

The terms of the Telecom Italia investment were not disclosed, but it was known that the Italian telephone company would also pay an undisclosed sum as commercial sponsor to display its logos on Luna Rossa's sails. Prada's logo will be displayed on the boat hull.

Meanwhile, Francesco De Angelis, the technical director of team Luna Rossa who skippered the Prada challenge in the two last America's Cup regattas, announced James Spithill's appointment as Helmsman

The 24-year-old Australian, arrived in Italy with some of his former OneWorld Challenge's teammates.

Management:

- Carlo Corce, president (ITA)

- Marco Tronchetti Provera (ITA)

- Patrizio Bertelli (ITA, Prada 2000 & 2003)

- Giancarlo Rocco di Torrepadula (ITA)

- Marco Piccinini (ITA)

- Giacomo Ovidi, General Manager (ITA, Prada
2003)

- Anthony Romano, General Manager (ITA).

Sailing Team:

- Francesco de Angelis, skipper (ITA, Prada 2000 et 2003)

- James Spithill, helmsman (AUS, Young Australia 2000, OneWorld 2003)

- Charlie McKee, tactician (USA, OneWorld 2003)

- Michele Ivaldi, navigator (ITA, Prada 2000 & 2003)

- Matteo Plazzi, navigator (ITA,Prada 2000 & 2003)

- Steve Erickson, afterguard & operational manager (USA, Golden Gate Challenge 1987, Il Moro 1992, Stars and Stripes 1995, Prada 2000 & 2003)

- Francesco Bruni, afterguard (ITA, Prada 2003)

- Marco Mercuriali, Coach (ITA, Azzurra 1983, Prada 2000 & 2003)

- Grant Spanhake, sail coord. & sail design liaison (USA, Young America 2000, OneWorld 2003)

- Joe Newton, mainsail trimmer (AUS, Young Australia 2000, OneWorld 2003)

- Tatsuya Wakinaga, trimmer, sail vision (JPN, Nippon challenge 95 & 2000, Oneworld 2003)

- Ben Durham, trimmer (AUS, Young Australia 2000, OneWorld 2003)

- Jonathan McKee, trimmer (USA, OneWorld 2003)

- Andrew Taylor, grinder (NZL, Team NZ 95 & 2000, OneWorld 2003)

- Gilberto Nobili, grinder , (ITA, Prada 2003)

- Magnus Anguston, grinder (SWE, Victory Challenge 2003)

- Romolo Ranieri, grinder, (ITA, Prada 2000 & 2003)

- Emanuale Marino, grinder, (ITA, Prada 2003)

- Vernon Neville, grinder, preparateur athlétique (NZL, Prada 2000 & 2003)

- Simone de Mari , grinder, mastman (ITA, Prada 2000 & 2003)

- Massimo Gherarducci, grinder, mastman (ITA, Prada 2003)

- Thomas Burnham, Pitman (USA, Young America 2000, Prada 2003)

- Alan Smith - Pitman (AUS, One Australia 95, Prada 2000, OneWorld 2003)

- Massimiliano Sirena, Mid bowman, (ITA, Prada 2000 & 2003)

- Paolo Bassani, Bowman (ITA, Prada 2000 & 2003)

- Andy Fethers - Bowman (AUS, Young Australia 2000, OneWorld 2003).

Design Team:
- Bruce Nelson, yacht designer (USA, Young America 95, America One 2000, OneWorld 2003)

- Roberto Biscontini, yacht Designer (ITA, Azzurra 1987, Il Moro 92, Young America 1995 et 2000, Oracle 2003)

- Claudio Maletto, yacht designer (ITA, Il Moro 92, Prada 2000 & 2003)

- Miguel Costa, technical coordinator & deck designer (ARG, Prada 2000 & 2003)

- Winfried M. Feifel, appendages design manager (USA, AmericaOne 2000, OneWorld 2003)

- Guido Cavalazzi, sail design manager (ITA, Prada 2000 & 2003)

- Scott Ferguson, mast design manager (USA, Team DC 1995, Young America 2000, Prada 2003)

- Giorgio Provinciali, tank testing manager (ITA, Prada 2003)

- Mario Caponnetto, performance analyse manager (ITA, Il Moro 92)

- Ian Campbell, tank testing (GBR, GBR Challenge 2003)

- Evan Spong - Performance Analyst (AUS)

- Andrea Avaldi - Structural Design (ITA, Prada 2000 & 2003)

- Luca Donna - Structural Design (ITA, Prada 2003)

- Paolo Periotto - Development coordinator (ITA, Prada 2003)

- Henrik Soderlund - sail designer (DEN, Le Défi 2003)

Administation/shore team:

- Bruno Finzi, public relations (ITA)

- Paolo Martinoni, communication manager (ITA)

- Antonio Marrai, logistic & shore team manager (ITA, Prada 2003)

- Richard Gilles, boat building manager (Desafio 2000, Oracle 2003).
KZRaceFurlersSydney Boat Show 2025 - Apply to ExhibitRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTER

Related Articles

2025 Santa Maria Cup in Annapolis, USA Day 2
Final four skippers emerge from a competitive qualifying double-round robin stage A thrilling second day of racing at the 2025 Santa Maria Cup saw the final four skippers emerge from a competitive qualifying double-round robin stage.
Posted today at 4:47 am
Collinson FX: June 6: EU cuts rates
President Trump held an important phone conversation with Chinese President Xi. Trade wars were the market focus, once again overnight, as President Trump held an important phone conversation with Chinese President Xi.
Posted today at 12:42 am
SailGP to Kick Off Summer in New York
With this Weekend's Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix An unforgettable weekend of high-speed, close-to-shore racing and world-class entertainment will take place this weekend when the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix takes place in front of the most famous skyline in the world.
Posted on 5 Jun
Scandinavian Gold Cup at Sopot, Poland Day 1
A slow start with very little wind The Scandinavian Gold Cup opened Thursday in Sopot, Poland, with seven 5.5 Metres competing for this historic and iconic trophy that dates back to 1922. Unfortunately, there was not enough wind to even complete one race.
Posted on 5 Jun
49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans Day 3
A six-hour bake on the water Veteran and multi-Olympic race officer Sulis was clear at the morning briefing, "Our priority is to get three races for the 49er so they can progress to the gold fleet."
Posted on 5 Jun
Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup Day 3
Platoon Aviation turn up the heat but don't dent American Magic Quantum Racing's lead After a disappointing first regatta of the season when they finished in an uncharacteristic last position in Saint-Tropez, the fortunes of the German flagged 2023 52 SUPER SERIES overall champions Platoon Aviation seem to have turned for the better.
Posted on 5 Jun
Diverse international fleet for 5th AEGEAN 600
The race start is a little over 1 month away In a sign that this newest of the world's 600-mile classic offshore races has reached maturity, organizers from the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club are pleased to announce yet another large international fleet will be assembled for the 2025 AEGEAN 600.
Posted on 5 Jun
America's Cup: Another sponsor signs for Italians
Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team and will accompany it as an official sponsor for the duration of the 38th America's Cup.
Posted on 5 Jun
SailGP: Media Conference concludes in New York
Skippers speak ahead of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix The media conference ahead of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix has concluded, without any special points being revealed, save for Brazil lending a crew member to Germany.
Posted on 5 Jun
A decade of pushing the boundaries at A+T
Celebrating 10 years of the world's best yacht instruments 2025 marks a decade of pushing the boundaries of quality and customer service in the global yachting industry for A+T Instruments.
Posted on 5 Jun