Please select your home edition
Edition
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_SY TOP

Cup Spy: Recon images reveal Luna Rossa design innovations

by Richard Gladwell Sail-World NZ 25 Oct 2022 21:00 PDT 26 October 2022
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli's prototype LEQ12 off Cagliari, Sardinia - Day 2 - October 25, 2022 © Ivo Rovira / America'sCup

Italy's America's Cup Challenger, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli had a second day of light winds off Cagliari, Sardinia on Tuesday. The conditions were similar to the day before, and light winds look set to continue, causing a re-think of the sailing program.

Key points October 25, 2022:

  • Luna Rossa had their second 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 crew member Ruggero Tita, and his sailing partner Caterina Banti, Olympic Gold Medalists in the Nacra 17 foiling catamaran, have been awarded the Male and Female Rolex Sailor of the Year trophies at World Sailing's Annual meeting in Abu Dhabi.

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli lost a second day of full test sailing, with the LEQ12 half size prototype AC75 having to be towed onto its foils for the second day of sailing.

The AC37 Joint Recon team were able to get some better images of the Italian LEQ12 - particularly of the mainsheet control system, which is a development of the system the Italians used in the last America's Cup. It is likely that they are not using the same under the cockpit mainboom system they used in both their AC75's, launched for the 2021 America's Cup.

The Luna Rossa LEQ12 has a set of arms attached to the base of the mast, to which is attached to an interesting device running part way along the cockpit floor.

The Italians appear to be using a conventional mainsheet track system, without an under cockpit boom they used in both their AC75's launched for the 2021 America's Cup.

They have a similar approach to Emirates Team New Zealand, in the last America's Cup, with the mast being stepped in a trench running the length of the cockpit, which tidies up the lower end of the mainsail and jib improving the end plate effect of the rig.

Unfortunately Tuesday's sailing session had to be cut short, but Luna Rossa CEO Max Sirena was philosophical, in a dockside interview after the session, he said they would have to reschedule their week with the light breezes forecast to continue.

"This week is going to be light all week, which is pretty good to start sailing with our LEQ12 and we had some time on the water yesterday. It was pretty light, but enough to be able to foil. Today was another good day, and still light conditions. We had a small issue electrical issue - which didn't give us much time to sail on the water.

"Luckily, the breeze dropped so we didn't really lose much of the day. But it was enough to test the boat. We actually reached quite high speed in seven knots of breeze."

For both runs it was reported that the LEQ12 was towed onto its foils, as is standard practice in these conditions, with the boat dropping the tow once it is at foiling speed

When asked about what would happen for the rest of the week, with light winds forecast. "As I said, this week is going to be light tomorrow and the day, after is going to be super light. So tonight we're going to make a plan on what to do in the next couple of days, but the goal is to spend as much time testing as possible in the next couple of weeks. This boat is so important for us - for the development of the big boat. We are just beginning."

Luna Rossa used the same sailing crew as they did on Monday, which 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

There was no change in the foils with their LEQ12 surrogate yacht fitted with the same a Y-shaped wingfoil on the port arm and a T-shaped foil on the starboard foil arm, used on Monday. The rudder had a W-shaped foil for the elevator.

Session Statistics - Cagliari - October 25, 2022 - Luna Rossa - LEQ12

  • Wind Strength 2kts (AM) 7kts (PM)
  • Wind Direction: NW (AM) S (PM)
  • Sea State:
  • Roll out: 1015hrs Dock Out: 1345hrs
  • Dock In: 1650hrs 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

America's Cup: Luna Rossa to sail for Naples club.
Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest the next America's Cup as the team of a Naples club. Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest its seventh America's Cup as the team of the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia of Naples, as club that is new to the America's Cup. Posted on 10 Jul
America's Cup: French back "Kiwi" Protocol
K-Challenge tell Brits to sign Kiwi Protocol. Cup to be sailed before the end of 2025. Last weekend's missive from the French America's Cup challenge team is further evidence over the building frustration with progress towards the 2027 America's Cup in Naples. Posted on 6 Jul
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
Sea Sure 2025Lloyd Stevenson - Catalyst GT 1456x180px BOTTOMPredictWind - GPS 728x90 BOTTOM