Italians boost their fervour with rousing new anthem

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

The "tifo" - crazy support - for Luna Rossa has not waned.

The Italians' enthusiasm is stronger than ever for the Prada campaign, even though they are 0-3 down in the America's Cup.

The boat now returns to the dock to the strains of a new, happier song, big crowds are piling into the Prada base, and a huge Italian flag flutters from a helicopter.

Over the weekend, Prada head Patrizio Bertelli threw open his doors to visiting Italians. Almost 300 well-wishers were packed in like sardines to wave the crew off. Some visitors worried the dock would collapse under the weight.

Bertelli was unhappy with a story in an Italian newspaper saying supporters who had come across the world to see Luna Rossa were disgruntled that they could not buy a Prada hat or T-shirt, or could not get near the boats.

Bertelli then pinned a poster to the wall outside the base detailing what he has done for Prada's fans in this campaign.

He says Prada has taken 10,000 people out on its hospitality boats during the four months of racing, and given them $30,000 worth of food and drink. The cost to charter the boats has been $600,000.

He has invited 25,000 people on to the compound, and entertained them with $150,000 worth of hospitality.

Prada has also given away 5000 hats, bags, sunglasses, shoes and T-shirts to friends.

Support continues to come from the homeland - the latest in the form of a song. Enzo Jannacci, a doctor and a well-known singer who has a club in Milan, has coined the new theme tune, also called Luna Rossa.

He recorded a CD and posted it to the Prada base in Auckland, with his thanks to the crew for "a month of emotion."

A verse says: "Hey, Luna Rossa, do something to show them that you are the best; hey, Luna Rossa, give them a shock that pushes them back 3000m."

Jannacci talks about drinking 300 coffees to keep awake in the middle of the night to watch the racing.

People from "Palermo to Rome, Milan to Genoa" are enthralled by the America's Cup, even though they know nothing about sailing.