Prada

20 Dec, 2002 12:36 AM3 mins to read

ITALY

Leader:

Patrizio Bertelli

Skipper:

Francesco de Angelis

Prada

won the Louis Vuitton Cup

in 2000 but were beaten by Team New Zealand in the

America's Cup final

5-0.

Skipper Francesco de Angelis and his crew became such popular celebrities in Auckland during the 1999-2000 racing, they were even invited to join the victory parade for Team New Zealand.

The Prada crew have been training continuously since the last Cup, spending southern summers in Auckland and northern summers in Italy.

Prada puchased the assets of the 1999 Young America campaign including its two Bruce Farr-designed yachts, giving it a total of four training boats.

History

Prada head Patrizio Bertelli and world-renowned designer German Frers first started discussing the idea of a new cruiser-racer back in 1997. The conversation turned to the America's Cup and submitting a challenge. They didn't waste time and within 15 days, Bertelli had pieced together a team and launched the Prada Challenge for the 2000 America's Cup. They created history by going on to win the challenger series.

It was unique for several reasons. It was the first time a European skipper had participated in the Cup match and it was the first time the Cup had been raced without an American boat in the role of either challenger or defender.

Crew

Five-time world champion Francesco de Angelis will once again head an experienced sailing team. Beside de Anglis again is his Brazilian friend Torben Grael, a three-time Olympic medallist, calling the tactics and Matteo Plazzi navigating.

Crew includes:

Gavin Brady, afterguard (NZ)

Sean Clarkson, mainsail trimmer (NZ)

Rod Davis, afterguard (NZ)

Money

Not an issue here. The advantage Prada have this time around is that they didn't have to fork out for the set-up costs for their bases in Italy and New Zealand. However, more money was spent this time round on research, development, testing, training and personnel. The team's budget is believed to be around $190 million.

Strengths

Experience is the key for this syndicate. The team has worked together non-stop for almost five years, retaining more or less the same crew. Included in those who are still with Prada are talented American designer Doug Peterson, who helped draw up Americasup3 in 1992 and the Black Magic boats in 1995.

Prospects

This team's prospects look pretty good. With its healthy budget, experienced crew and a top design team, expect to see Prada among the top four teams at the very least. Although they were a little behind some of the other syndicates in terms of getting their two cup yachts out on the Hauraki Gulf, Prada have the experience and skill to sail into the challenger series final.

New Boats:

ITA-74

launched May 21, 2002

ITA-80,

launched Aug 28, 2002

Designer: Doug Peterson

Hull colours: Matt grey hull with red strip on the bow

Trial horses:

ITA-45 Luna Rossa

ITA-49 Luna Rossa

USA-53 Young America

USA-59 Young America