Luna Rossa Defeats British Team to Claim Puig Women’s America’s Cup Final
by Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli 12 Oct 10:42 PDT
12 October 2024
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Women’s Team Secures Victory in Puig Women’s America’s Cup Final – October 12, 2024 © Ricardo Pinto / America’s Cup
The Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli women’s team secured their victory in the women’s competition after defeating the Athena Pathway team in an impressive race where they maintained control from start to finish.
This victory underscores the Italian team’s superiority in the match racing format as well. Following the success of the youth team in the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup, this win further highlights the accomplishments of the New Generation project initiated by Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli in their previous campaign to develop future champions of Italian sailing.
Max Sirena, Skipper and Team Director of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, remarked:
“I am incredibly proud of the girls. They’ve put in tremendous effort to achieve this result, and they deserve abundant applause. This win, alongside the youth team’s achievement, is a significant pride for our entire team. It demonstrates that our vision for cultivating the next generation of sailors was correct and that our training program has proven this vision. Both teams displayed remarkable talent and determination and have crafted a new chapter in America’s Cup history.”
Simone Salvà, coach for both women’s and youth teams at Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, stated: “A double victory! Following the youth trophy, the women’s competition also concluded perfectly. The girls performed excellently throughout the entire series, particularly in the final where the boats were closely matched, and they executed exceptionally well despite their limited match racing experience. We couldn’t have hoped for more. It’s been an extensive journey requiring immense effort, but ultimately we formed a fantastic team filled with exceptional talent—both within the women’s and youth crews.”
Jacopo Plazzi, Youth & Women’s project coordinator, expressed: “We are thrilled with the results achieved by this group, which has worked collectively toward the same objective from the project’s inception. Both the women’s and youth teams have created something extraordinary, both on the water and off. The girls celebrated the youth team’s victory as if it were their own, and today the boys reciprocated—and indeed, it is. We can only feel pride for all of them.”
Match Race Final
In challenging conditions characterized by significant swells and unstable 10-knot winds, Luna Rossa took the lead from the onset. During the initial beat, the Italian team maneuvered to the left of the course, keeping the British in check and rounding the first mark ahead. On the downwind leg, they extended their lead, performing quickly and seamlessly in each maneuver. Despite the British team’s efforts, Luna Rossa closed off all openings to reduce the gap and sailed without errors. It was an exemplary performance, culminating in a well-deserved victory.
The Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Women’s team includes Giulia Conti and Margherita Porro (helmswomen), Maria Giubilei, and Giulia Fava (trimmers), Alice Linussi, Maria Vittoria Marchesini, and Giovanna Micol.
