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!
Old Sea Dogs View
What this means on the water
This story matters only if it helps sailors, owners, clubs, marinas and readers make better decisions afloat or ashore. The new point should be the named event, result, boat, notice, place or change in the report above, not the shine around it. Old Sea Dogs treats press releases and organiser statements as a starting point, then looks for the practical detail: dates, entry rules, berthing, costs, crew impact, safety notes and what readers should check next. What remains uncertain is the usual waterfront mix of weather, final notices, availability, pricing and how a claim holds up once people arrive. Use this piece as a pointer, then check the linked source before making plans.
Social
Follow Old Sea Dogs
Follow Old Sea Dogs for the next dispatch, short video, show note or dockside update.
Charlotte Borghesi's all-women team steal the show at the 2025 Wicked SB20 Middle East & UAE Championships, enhancing the profile of women in the world of sailing.