Unraveling Peter Burling's Pivotal Decision to Switch Sides to Luna Rossa in America's Cup

The grand unveiling of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli’s AC75 in Cagliari, Sardinia, in April 2024 not only marked the beginning of an exhilarating racing season but also gave an insider’s look into the seamless transition of America’s Cup legend Peter Burling to the Italian team.

A series of interviews with key team members of Luna Rossa, including Burling himself and the CEO, Max Sirena, throws light on the circumstances that led to Burling’s bold decision to switch allegiances.

The three-time America’s Cup winner opened up about what led him to break ties with his former team, Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ). According to Burling, he envisioned spending more time pursuing other projects. Unfortunately, he couldn’t reach a mutual agreement with ETNZ, leading to a separation.

The move wasn’t a hasty decision. Burling reportedly had talks with other teams, yet he felt an undeniable pull towards Luna Rossa. Familiar with several team members who formed part of the victorious 2017 ETNZ campaign in Bermuda, Burling found Luna Rossa’s team structure and synergy closest to what he had been used to at ETNZ. This tale unveils the intrigues of racing dynamics, personal preferences, and team chemistry in determining the course of sailing legends!