Team Prada Begins Work In View Of Quarter Finals Repechage
Team Prada announced last night the withdrawal of its yacht Luna Rossa ITA 74 from further racing in the quarter finals
series against Alinghi in the 2002-2003 Louis Vuitton Cup. Late last night Team Prada filed a request to execute a
series of modifications to Luna Rossa ITA 74. Work started immediately at the end of the so-called "no change period"
when no changes are allowed to be made on the competing yacths. Over the next few days Prada's crew and shore team will
work around the clock with a roster system. At the same time the team will work on the development of its second yacht
Luna Rossa ITA 80. Having pulled out of the quarter finals, Team Prada proceeds to the quarter finals repechage that
will be raced on a best of seven series starting from Saturday, November 23. Alinghi, having thus scored 4 points over
Prada in the quarter finals, advances to the semifinals scheduled to start on December 9.
The other six competing challengers in the 2002-2003 Louis Vuitton Cup still have to complete their best of seven
quarter finals matches. The first team to score 4 points between Oracle BMW Racing (currently with 3 points) and
OneWolrd Challenge (0 points) will advance to the semifinals. The loser will have to sail in the quarter finals
repechage. The loser between Victory Challenge (currently with 3 points) and Le Defi Areva (0 points) will be eliminated
from the Louis Vuitton Cup, while the winner will advance to the quarter finals repechage. The same applies to Team
Dennis Conner (currently with 2 points) and GBR Challenge (1 point). The top seeded team among the four that will
proceed to the repechage will pick their opponent for this best of seven series.
SCOREBOARD Alinghi Challenge (4 pts) - Prada Challenge (0 pts) Oracle BMW Racing (3 pts) - OneWorld Challenge (0 pts)
Victory Challenge (3 pts) - Le Defi Areva (0 pts) GBR Challenge (1 pt) - Team Dennis Conner (2 pts)
Official Suppliers Prada Challenge 2003: Enervit (active nutrition). Fabianelli (pasta). Makita (power tools). Saima
Avandero (transport). Sanpellegrino (mineral water and soft drinks). Technogym (fitness equipment).