Please select your home edition
Edition
V-DRY-X

Cup Spy: Luna Rossa's LEQ12 has first sail in Sardinia

by Richard Gladwell Sail-World NZ 25 Oct 2022 00:39 PDT 23 October 2022
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli - October 24, 2022 - Cagliari, Sardinia © Ivo Rovira / America's Cup

Six times Italian America's Cup Challenger, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli became the fourth America's Cup team to get sailing off their base in Cagliari, Sardinia on Monday.

Key points October 24, 2022:

  • Luna Rossa had their first sail in their new LEQ12 off Cagliari in light airs.
  • None of the other teams have sailed since Friday.
  • Brits are expected to splash their LEQ12 some time this week from Mallorca, Spain

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli went for their first sail off their base in Cagliari, Sardinia on Monday.

It was the first LEQ12 to be sailed by any America's Cup team. An LEQ12 is a surrogate boat permitted under the America's Cup Protocol. They must be less than or equal to 12metres overall length. A team is only allowed one LEQ12 - which are used for testing components (limited in number and alteration) to be incorporated in the full size AC75 race boat. Teams are allowed to sail a combination of three types of test, or surrogate boats. As well as LEQ12s, teams are permitted to sail Version 1 AC75's and AC40's either as a One Design or taken out of class and used as an LEQ12.

The Luna Rossa sailing crew on Monday, included double America's Cup champion, Jimmy Spithill; Tokyo 2020 Olympic Gold medalist Ruggero Tita; Olympic 49er sailor Umberto Molineris; and another 49er sailor Andrea Teseri, he was recruited by Luna Rossa from the New Generation project, Auckland 2021

They sailed their LEQ12 surrogate yacht fitted with a Y-shaped wingfoil on the port arm and a T-shaped foil on the starboard foil arm. The rudder had a W-shaped foil for the elevator.

Gilberto Nobili (Operations Manager and Mechatronics) said in a dockside statement after the sail:

"It was a very light wind today in Caliari but we are very happy about our day. We went out after the towing test a few days ago. Today we are sailed for the first time The wind was not enough to properly sail by ourselves. So we did a take off by towing [behind a chase boat]. There was not enough wind to maneuver [tack/gybe at the end of a run]. But all the system checks went well, and all the systems are working, we are very happy."

"Unfortunately the forecast is for very strong breeze in the next few days. So we will try to go out again tomorrow. Hopefully there is enough wind to allow us to foil properly and we will try to do the first maneuvers [foiling tack/gybe]. But obviously we are weather dependent and for the moment is not very promising for a few days."

Unfortunately there was no video posted on the Recon system other than the highlights, but normally in light winds with a towing take-off the boat is fine in a straight line, and will generate its own apparent wind - so there would not have been a lot to see. Other reports had it that there were five runs of 2-3 minutes duration, with the LEQ12 hitting 28kts according to a pace boat speedometer.

It will be interesting to see the sea-state off Cagliari, and whether this is similar to Barcelona.

Session Statistics - Cagliari - October 24, 2022 - Luna Rossa - LEQ12

  • Wind Strength 3kts (AM) 7kts (PM)
  • Wind Direction: NW (AM) SSE (PM)
  • Sea State: 0.4m SE
  • Roll out: 0900hrs Dock Out: 1330hrs
  • Dock In: 1800hrs Crane out:
  • Total Tacks: 2 - Fully foiling: 0; Touch & Go: 0; Touch Down: 0
  • Total Gybes: 0 - Fully foiling: 0; Touch & Go: 0; Touch Down: 0

Additional Images of the Day:

This commentary was written and compiled from video, still images and statistical content extracted from the AC37 Joint Recon program and other material available to Sail-World NZ including photo files, and other on the water coverage from the 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2021 America's Cups.

Related Articles

K-Challenge gives opinion on proposed Protocol
Why the 38th edition could usher in a new era for the America's Cup Stephan Kandler and Bruno Dubois, Co-CEOs of K-Challenge, jointly stated: “The provisional Protocol published on 23 May 2025 by Defender Emirates Team New Zealand is an important step forward for the America's Cup." Posted on 4 Jul
America's Cup: Confidential settlement reached
(Updated) A confidential settlement reached over five year Cup legal claims. Confidential settlement reached between the America's Cup team Emirates Team New Zealand and their formerly contracted Event Managers, Mayo & Calder, and others associated with the company. But what of Mainstream Media's role in the affair? Posted on 29 Jun
America's Cup - #3 Finish Line
The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. Step into the last leg. This is where legends break — or rise. Posted on 23 Jun
Cup Spy: "Burling Rule" unlikely to be changed
The Defender is unlikely to soften the Rules and allow open season on its sailing team. Despite the shift of three times America's Cup winner, Peter Burling it is understood that there is unlikely to be any softening of the Nationality rule to enable Burling to get any closer to the action than a chase-boat in the 38th America's Cup. Posted on 20 Jun
Burling "excited' by Italian move
In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role w In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role with Black Foils, the New Zealand SailGP Team. Posted on 20 Jun
America's Cup: Kiwis advertising for key people
Emirates Team NZ seeking new people for key roles ahead of its 12th America's Cup campaign Emirates Team New Zealand, the current America's Cup champion is gearing up for the 2027 Defence of the most prestigious trophy in sailing. The team has advertised eight positions in the IT, Meteorology and Engineering areas Posted on 12 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
America's Cup fillibustered by Challengers
A Cup in turmoil - Protocol is unsigned - with entries due to open on Sunday. Updated story: America's Cup got underway in Rome on Monday, with Round 2 of the official welcoming ceremonies on Wednesday in Naples. However three teams are working in collusion and have again issued statements within minutes of each other. Posted on 29 May
America's Cup enthusiastically received in Naples
The Castel dell'Ovo, was the venue for the arrival of the America's Cup in Napes The Castel dell'Ovo, set on the tuft peninsula of Megaride was the outstanding setting for the Official Host Venue Presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup. Posted on 28 May
Italian PM welcomes America's Cup in Rome
Prime Minister Meloni set out a bold vision for the regeneration planned around AC38 The magnificent setting of the Casino del Bel Respiro, commissioned by Pope Innocent X in 1644, in the grounds of Villa Pamphilj, was the outstanding and historic setting for the formal presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup. Posted on 26 May
Lloyd Stevenson - AC ETNZ 1456x180px BOTTOMSwitch One DesignRooster 2025