NEW YORK — The Prada-sponsored yacht Luna Rossa has found a place in yachting history. A model of the sleek silver-and-red vessel, loser of the 2000 America’s Cup competition, has become part of the New York Yacht Club’s permanent collection, which showcases miniature replicas of almost every America’s Cup defender and challenger since 1851.
Prada Group chief executive officer Patrizio Bertelli, a sailing aficionado, presented the almost 3-foot-long model of Luna Rossa to yacht club commodore Lawrence S. Huntingon last week.
“The Prada Challenge represents the best aspects of the America’s Cup effort: superb management, a top-flight skipper and crew, a fast boat and, in the Challenger finals, some heart-stopping action,” Huntington said.
Luna Rossa won the Louis Vuitton Cup in 2000, qualifying it to race in the America’s Cup, the international yacht competition that takes place every three years. Luna Rossa lost to Team New Zealand in a best-of-nine series of races.