Just when it seemed Prada Challenge might fold in the America's Cup elimination series, the Italians found ice-cool nerves to beat AmericaOne and end 149 years of US involvement in the Cup. Prada beat AmericaOne by 49 seconds in the ninth and last race of the Louis Vuitton Cup finals and will now challenge holders New Zealand in the America's Cup from February 19. A European boat has never won the America's Cup.
The final two races of the challenger series were the defining points of the competition, which began in October last year with 11 boats from seven nations. The rich Italian syndicate had been working for three years towards winning the series, and have poured at least $50 million, and probably closer to $100 million, into the campaign, building two state-of-the art yachts. They also compiled one of the best crews available under Admiral's Cup winner Francesco de Angelis and including Brazilian tactician Torben Grael, the holder of a full set of gold, silver and bronze Olympic medals.
