The Prada Cup is an international sailing competition that determines the challenger for the America’s Cup. It is named after its sponsor, the Italian luxury fashion house Prada.
However, many people often confuse it with the Louis Vuitton Cup, which was a similar competition held in the past. In this article, we will explore whether the Prada Cup is indeed the successor to the Louis Vuitton Cup.
What was the Louis Vuitton Cup?
The Louis Vuitton Cup was a sailing competition held between 1983 and 2013 to determine the challenger for the America’s Cup. It was named after its sponsor, another luxury fashion house – Louis Vuitton. The winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup would then race against the defending champion, who was usually from New Zealand or Australia.
How is it different from the Prada Cup?
The Prada Cup is essentially a replacement for the Louis Vuitton Cup. After 30 years of sponsorship, Louis Vuitton withdrew their support in 2017, and Prada stepped in as their replacement. The format of both competitions is largely similar – they both determine who challenges for the America’s Cup.
Why did Louis Vuitton withdraw their sponsorship?
There were various reasons why Louis Vuitton decided to end their sponsorship of the event. One reason was that they felt like they were not getting enough exposure and return on investment from their sponsorship deal. Another reason was that there were concerns over how much influence they had over certain aspects of the competition.
What does Prada bring to the table?
Prada has been involved in sailing for many years and has sponsored various teams and events in Europe. They bring a fresh perspective to the competition and are expected to inject more fashion and style into it than their predecessor did. Prada’s involvement is also seen as a way to attract a younger and more diverse audience to the sport.
Conclusion
In summary, while there are some differences between the Prada Cup and the Louis Vuitton Cup, they serve the same purpose – to determine who challenges for the America’s Cup. The Prada Cup is essentially a continuation of the legacy left by Louis Vuitton, but with a new sponsor and a different approach. Ultimately, what matters most is that these competitions continue to promote sailing and bring excitement to fans around the world.