What Is North Sails Prada?

North Sails Prada is a sailing team that was formed in 2018 as a collaboration between Italian fashion house Prada and the world-renowned sailmaker North Sails. The team was created with the aim of competing in the 36th America’s Cup, which was scheduled to take place in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2021.

Background

The America’s Cup is the oldest international sporting trophy, and it has been contested since 1851. The competition takes place every few years, and it involves teams from different countries racing against each other on high-tech sailing boats called foiling monohulls. The boats are designed to fly above the water on hydrofoils, which makes them incredibly fast and exciting to watch.

Prada’s Involvement

Prada has a long history of supporting sailing, and the fashion house has sponsored several teams over the years. When it was announced that the 36th America’s Cup would be held in Auckland, Prada saw an opportunity to get involved once again. The company approached North Sails with the idea of forming a joint team that would represent Italy in the competition.

North Sails’ Expertise

North Sails was a natural choice for Prada’s partner due to their expertise in sailmaking. The company has been producing high-quality sails for over 60 years, and their technology and innovation have helped many teams win major sailing events around the world.

The Team

The North Sails Prada team is made up of some of the best sailors from Italy and around the world. The skipper is Max Sirena, who has competed in multiple America’s Cups and won two of them with Oracle Team USA. Other key members of the team include grinder Pietro Sibello and tactician Francesco Bruni.

The Boat

The boat that the North Sails Prada team will be racing in the America’s Cup is called Luna Rossa. The boat was designed and built in Italy, and it features the latest technology and materials to make it as fast and efficient as possible. The Luna Rossa has been designed to fly above the water on hydrofoils, which will allow it to reach speeds of up to 50 knots (approximately 60 miles per hour).

The Future

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 36th America’s Cup was postponed from 2021 to 2022. However, the North Sails Prada team has continued to train and prepare for the competition, and they are expected to be strong contenders when it finally takes place.

Conclusion

North Sails Prada is a unique collaboration between two companies with a passion for sailing. The team combines Prada’s style and elegance with North Sails’ expertise in sailmaking to create a formidable force on the water. Fans of sailing around the world are eagerly anticipating their performance in the upcoming America’s Cup competition.