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Prada flies Luna Rossa to NZ

Luna Rossa's hull was under covers for its flight to New Zealand

PISA, Italy -- Prada Challenge has flown its America's Cup yacht Luna Rossa to New Zealand, becoming the last of the challenger boats to be sent down under.

The concealed hull of Luna Rossa, ITA 80, was flown on a Antonov 124-100 heavy lift aircraft to Auckland.

The Russian built aircraft, owned by British air transport company Air Foyle Heavy Lift, took 36 hours to reach Auckland where the Louis Vuitton Challenger series begins on October 1.

Prada won the Louis Vuitton Cup in 2000, but failed to take the America's Cup from Team New Zealand.

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The giant aircraft can carry 140 tons and fitted the boat and all its parts including the 32.5 metre carbon mast.

Transport by air costs about $550,000, which is around 20 times as much as sea transport.

Each syndicate is allowed to build two new yachts in each Cup cycle, a rule that is designed to limit costs.

Most of the nine challenging syndicates have shipped their new boats by sea, taking six to eight weeks. Some, such as Team Dennis Conner, have still to arrive.

By flying their boat, Prada gained five weeks in which to extend their design programme. Their new boat is the last of the challengers to be built.

British Team GBR also used air transport to move their second boat, GBR 78 Wight Magic, from Cowes, Isle of Wight.

Although up to 50 percent of the boats can be modified in New Zealand, once the elimination series gets underway it is difficult for the challengers to make major changes without disrupting their racing schedule.

Only Team New Zealand will have longer to work on their designs. Their first new boat, NZL 81, was moved from Auckland boat builder Cookson Yachts for fitting out this week. It will be christened by Lady Pippa Blake, the widow of legendary New Zealand yachtsman Sir Peter Blake, on August 26.

The design of the second TNZ boat, NZL 82, can be finalised well after the challenger elimination series gets underway so that it is still possible to copy any major breakthroughs in design that they see on the water.

For the 2003 Cup only the second Italian syndicate, Mascalzone Latino XII, will be campaigning just one new boat.

The French Le Defi Areva syndicate have effectively created a second boat by substantially rebuilding the 2000 French challenger FRA 46.