A cryptic press release from the Hong Kong stock exchange announces that Prada S.A., Patrizio Bertelli's company, has been "invited" by Luna Rossa to sponsor a team in the America's Cup. The amount in question is 40 million euros between December 2011 and September 2013, but this would require the approval of the Supervisory Board.
This development would be a departure from Bertelli's declaration that he is not interested in the next America's Cup. Luna Rossa has previously competed in the Extreme 40 Sailing Series, but this has come under pressure following the launch of the America's Cup World Series with the AC-45 catamarans.
Italy is to organise four ACWS regattas, two each in Naples and Venice, before the actual Cup in September 2013. For the time being, however, Luna Rossa is not listed as a potential participant by the America's Cup Event Authority.
To the article in Sail-World
