Photo:©2013 ACEA/Gilles Martin-Raget

Luna Rossa Challenge 2013

Emirates Team New Zealand

Photo:©2013 ACEA/Abner Kingman

Yacht: Luna Rossa
Nickname: "The Silver Bullet"
Launched: October, 2012
See more photos of Luna Rossa's AC72

This is Luna Rossa's single AC72.  The basic platform was designed with Emirates Team New Zealand, and is essentially identical to NZL's first boat.  Luna Rossa was a late entry to the event, and this arrangement, permitted under the rules with a deadline for the end of cooperation, allowed them to enter the 2013 regatta.  Luna Rossa has engineered their own sets of foils and other equipment.  The team is expect to swap in their more advanced wing for use in the Finals.  Bertelli's inspiration to name the team "Luna Rossa" (which translates literally from Italian as "Red Moon") was an auspicious celestial sighting one evening following dinner when he was launching his first America's Cup challenge.

Sailing Days for Boat (as of Aug 14): 81 days

Photo:©2013 ACEA/Gilles Martin-Raget

Yacht: Aotearoa
Launched: February, 2013
See more photos of ETNZ's AC72's

This is ETNZ's second AC72.  The boat was pulled early from the Rounds Robin, in order to begin modifications for the Finals. The yacht's name Aotearoa is a Maori word referring to the land of New Zealand.

Sailing Days for Boat #2 (as of Aug 14): 57
Sailing Days for Team (as of Aug 14):  87

Photo:©2013 ACEA/Abner Kingman

Previous America's Cup Experience:
LVC Finalist (2007) lost 0-5 to NZL
LVC Competitor (2003)
LVC Winner and Challenger (2000) lost 0-5 to NZL

Photo:©2013 ACEA/Gilles Martin-Raget

Previous America's Cup Experience:
Challenger and LVC Winner (2007)
Defender (2003) Lost to Alinghi
Defender (2000) Beat Luna Rossa (5-0)
Challenger and LVC Winner (1995) Won (5-0)

Patrizio Bertelli, left, with tactician Franceso Bruni. Photo:©2013 ACEA/Gilles Martin-Raget

America's Cup Hall of Fame Class of 2012.

Born in 1946, Patrizio Bertelli is ranked as the 175th wealthiest person in the world according to Forbes Magazine, with an estimated net worth of $6.7 billion.

In the 1960's Bertelli started a leather goods company, later joining forces with future wife Miuccia Prada and together creating the global fashion empire that bears her name.

Bertelli studied engineering at the University of Bologna, and holds an MBA from the University of Florence.

Nationality: Italian

Photo:©2013 ACEA/Gilles Martin-Raget

Grant Dalton was brought in to reinvigorate Team New Zealand following their loss of the America's Cup in 2003.  He restructured the internal operations and sailing efforts, and secured commercial sponsorship and government funding that let the team compete against opposition underwritten by some of the richest private individuals in the world.

Prior to joining the team, Dalton was one of sailing's most accomplished around-the-world racers having done the Whitbread/Volvo Ocean Race five times, winning in 1993-4, and in 2000 winning "The Race" in the giant catamaran Club Med.

Nationality: New Zealand

Skipper: Max Sirena

Photo:©2013 ACEA/Gilles Martin-Raget

Massimiliano "Max" Sirena

America's Cup:
Wing Manager, BMW Oracle Racing (2010)
Luna Rossa (2007, 2003, 2000)

Nationality: Italian

Skipper: Dean Barker

Photo:©2013 ACEA/Gilles Martin-Raget

America's Cup:
Skipper ETNZ (2007, 2003)
Helmsman/B-Skipper ETNZ (2000)

Nationality: New Zealand

Helmsman: Chris Draper

Photo:©2013 ACEA/Gilles Martin-Raget

49er:
Olympic Bronze Medalist (2004)
World Champion (2003, 2006)
European Champion (2004, 2005, 2010)

Nationality: British

Strategist: Adam Beashel

Photo:©2013 Chris Cameron/ETNZ

America's Cup:
Team New Zealand (2007, 2003)
OneAustralia (1995)

Nationality: Australian/New Zealand

Tactician: Francesco Bruni

Photo:©2013 ACEA/Gilles Martin-Raget

America's Cup:
Luna Rossa (2003, 2007)

Nationality: Italian

Photo:©2013 ACEA/Gilles Martin-Raget

America's Cup:
Afterguard, Team New Zealand (2007)
Weather staff, Team New Zealand (2003)
America One (2000)

Volvo Ocean Race:
Helmsman, illbruck (winner 2001-2)

Nationality: New Zealand

Photo:©2013 ACEA/Gilles Martin-Raget

Photo:©2013 ACEA/Gilles Martin-Raget

Also more team members and bios at team sites:
Luna Rossa Team Site | Emirates Team New Zealand Team site