Yacht Racing Is So Last Season

Luna Rossa in action.

The latest trend in fashion? Major designers dropping out of America's Cup.

Prada is the latest sponsor to furl its support for the pricey biennial competition. It will not race the luxury red and silver yacht Luna Rossa in the next America's Cup to take place 2009 in Valencia, Spain.

The news, posted earlier on WWD.com (subscription required), comes on the heels of Louis Vuitton's decision last month to also call it quits, after calling the race too commercial with not enough exclusivity in regards to both sponsors and crowds.

Though participation costs have skyrocketed in recent years, Prada C.E.O. Patrizio Bertelli claims that the efforts around racing Luna Rossa were financially healthy and instead cited "a cycle had come to an end" as Prada's reason for opting out.

Prada first raced in the America's Cup in 1997, competing Luna Rossa again in 2000, 2002, and 2007. Their first race (and first losing effort of more to come) cost Prada $50 million and the second, $38.3 million.

Prada's family company Maestrale Holding Srl. manages the boat and most recently Bertelli arranged for Italian tycoon and sailing aficionado Marco Tronchetti Provera to have his Telecom Italia join as a sponsor.

Other Luna Rossa sponsors include bank Intesa Sanpaolo, a five percent owner of Prada, and the Italian Yacht Club. The budget for the final race of Luna Rossa at this year's America's Cup? A cool $117.3 million. And still, no cup to speak of.

Prada's decade of racing in the America's Cup didn't leave the label empty handed. There is now a collection of Luna Rossa-branded accessories and apparel, complete with high-tech, innovative fabrics tested by Prada's sailing team.

"From a corporate standpoint, participating in these three campaigns has allowed us to acquire and develop precious skills, experience and visibility for our group," said Bertelli. "I hope that another Italian team will be able to compete in the next edition and to keep Italy at the top of the game in the America's Cup."

by Andrea Chalupa

Related Link
Luna Rossa Challenge