America's Cup: Luna Rossa's AC75 leaves Persico, launch at the end of October
by Luna Rossa Media 3 Oct 2020 11:03 NZDT
3 October 2020
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli's second AC75 departs for Auckland - October 2020 © Carlo Borlenghi / Luna Rossa
The second Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli hull is now New Zealand-bound after taking off from the Bergamo-Orio Al Serio airport on 2nd October. The first AC75 was shipped to New Zealand on September 7 on a six week voyage.
Boat 2, built at the Persico Marine shipyard in Bergamo, about 10 km from the airport, was transported with an oversized load vehicle, and loaded on an Antonov 124-100, one of the largest cargo planes in circulation.
Together with the hull the cargo will include the mast and one of the support boats, to reach Auckland after 38 hours of flight and two stopovers, in United Arab Emirates and Indonesia. It will then be transported to the team's new base at the Hobson Wharf, where the launch of Boat 2 is scheduled for the end of October.
The complex operation took place thanks to the full support of the operational structure of Bergamo-Orio al Serio airport, the "Pierucci Giuseppe" di Massimo & Fabrizio Pierucci company of Livorno, which has handled the team's logistics for over 20 years, and the efficiency of the Persico Marine shipyard, that from the very beginning has supported this ambitious project with skill and professionalism. The team wishes to thank all of them.
Max Sirena, Skipper and Team Director.
"This is an important day for our challenge. I want to take this opportunity to thank Persico Marine, and all the people involved, for their hard work. We can't wait to get Boat 2 out on the water and start sailing in the Hauraki Gulf."
Marcello Persico, CEO - Persico Marine
"Having created Luna Rossa's Boat 2 makes us proud of our people above all, and the technical level that our company has reached, contributing to the world's premium sailing challenge to claim the America's Cup. This "Made in Italy" project has once again highlighted the innovative and cutting-edge qualities of our region, which has again proved to be second to none at an international level."
"Boat 1" moves from Cagliari
Cagliari, 7 September - The first AC75 of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team, which was christened in October 2019, on 7th September left Cagliari and is on its way to New Zealand. The hull, the rigging and support boats were loaded onboard a cargo-ship, which was moored directly at the base in Molo Ichnusa. The cargo will arrive in Auckland in a month and a half's time.