Luna Rossa have been stung over $110,000 for failing to turn up to the Louis Vuitton Cup opening party last month.
The international jury have ordered the Italian team to pay $US35,000 to the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation - a charity set up to honour the British sailor who was tragically killed in a training accident in May - and $US35,000 to the Treasure Island Sailing Centre. Luna Rossa have also been ordered to pay all of the jury's costs in hearing the protest, which total $US20,000.
The Italian team opted to boycott the glamour event which marked the official opening of the challenger series while they awaited a jury decision on their protest over regatta director Iain Murray's attempts to alter the design rules.
America's Cup organisers protested the Italians non-appearance to the international jury, claiming Luna Rossa were contractually bound to appear at the party. The Italians named 102 members of their team to attend the official festivities, but just three turned up. The America's Cup Events Authority (ACEA) claimed Luna Rossa were also required to have their AC45 catamaran docked outside the venue on display, which they failed to do.
The international jury last week ruled in favour of the ACEA, finding Luna Rossa had breached Protocol article 45.2 (participation in special events) and article 2 (purpose and intent) by failing, without justification, to participate in and/or comply with the prescribed requirements for two special events related to the Louis Vuitton Cup. In their application regarding costs, the ACEA contended Luna Rossa should be fined nearly $250,000 for the breach.
