Half a year ago nobody would have thought that come November, Patrizio Bertelli’s Luna Rossa would be in a seemingly advantageous position over Oracle Team USA and Artemis Racing. They had entered the 34th America’s Cup much later than the American and Swedish teams and although they had a far-reaching and unprecedented collaboration with Emirates Team New Zealand, the gap with them seemed unbridgeable.
However, on Friday afternoon, following the successful launch of their brand new AC72 yacht in Auckland, the Italians became the second team to have a fully operating AC72 yacht. According to Bertelli, the launch took place on time and at no moment was the entire process behind schedule. The Luna Rossa AC72 was planned to be launched in October and so she did. Both Artemis Racing and Oracle Racing are facing considerable setbacks while the Italians and the Kiwis will start their match racing practice races around November 10th.
French multihull guru Franck Cammas prepares Luna Rossa’s AC72 for her launch. Auckland, 26 October 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Luna Rossa launch their brand new AC72 yacht. Auckland, 26 October 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Luna Rossa launch their brand new AC72 yacht. Auckland, 26 October 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Luna Rossa launch their brand new AC72 yacht. Auckland, 26 October 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Luna Rossa launch their brand new AC72 yacht. Auckland, 26 October 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Luna Rossa launch their brand new AC72 yacht. Auckland, 26 October 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Luna Rossa launch their brand new AC72 yacht. Auckland, 26 October 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
October 26th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
10/10 for style!
October 26th, 2012 at 11:36 pm
Without a doubt, if Luna Rossa and ETNZ goes to the Louis Vuitton Cup finals, whoever gets to win, will be the next champion of the America`s Cup, as working together, from now until they have to pack and ship the AC72s to San Francisco, CA, will make them VERY STRONG, and very hard to beat, especially considering that ORACLE TEAM USA will lose a lot of time waiting for their first AC72 to be 100% repair and ready to sail again.
Let`s see what happens, but my bet is that if ETNZ or Luna Rossa wins the LVC, then it will be easier for the to win the AC.
Best regards,
Cristián Palau