Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Prototype Day 35 Summary

An LEQ12 in displacement, in waves, with such a low-freeboard is perhaps one of the most uncomfortable seats in the America’s Cup. Once flying, it’s a different story and you almost wished you had less freeboard and certainly less foresail. These prototypes in marginal flying conditions are tough and wet on the crews, and today out in a sunny Bay of Angels with an almost summer-feel to it (18 degrees), the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team were pulling all the tricks to get flying in a steadily building breeze that eventually came in at 10-12 knots. To see Marco Gradoni in interview afterwards, is to see the future of Italian sailing at the America’s Cup encapsulated in politeness, honesty, integrity and youthful ambition. The new generation are coming through at such a pace and learning with wide-eyed enthusiasm that it’s infectious to listen to. Talking about the day, Marco was buzzing, saying: “Yeah, today was a really good day because we had a lot of waves, big swell and at the beginning there was a lot of wind and it dropped down a bit, so it was a really, really, good training day for all the team.” Section 41. Reconnaissance a) As a campaign cost reduction measure, COR/D has mutually agreed to cooperatively implement a centralised reconnaissance programme for all teams for the reconnaissance of all Competitors’ AC75 Yachts, AC40 Yachts and LEQ12 yachts including both on-land and on-water imagery (the “Joint Recon Programme”). b) Each team is assigned a two-person Recon Unit to follow their every on-water move, but it's not that simple. The cameras are supplied and identical for all Recon Units. Drones are not allowed, and they can't get that close, plus following a boat and keeping a camera steady at 45 knots isn't that easy to begin with. c) A three minute interview follows each on water day, and teams must answer the Recon Unit's questions while trying not to give too much away. It's a raw, unedited view of the never before seen behind-the-scenes development of a team and their boat to win the oldest trophy in international sports. #AC37Recon #AmericasCup #Barcelona2024